The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will start metro services at 6 AM on Sunday, September 13, so that aspirants who are preparing for the NDA and CDS 2 exams are ready to get to their examination centres on time.
This is because of the high level of security and traffic congestion in Delhi in the wake of the BRICS Summit.
The decision will be welcomed by thousands of defence-exam aspirants who may have to travel early in the morning to reach their assigned centres.
Since Sunday metro services on some corridors of metro lines normally begin later in the morning, the early opening has been scheduled to ensure candidates have a reliable public transport option.
The move comes as traffic restrictions and diversions are being put in place in various parts of the capital in preparation for the BRICS Summit.
There will be increased security around key areas and traffic on the road will be affected due to security measures and normal road traffic will be disrupted; commutes are likely to be affected and we can expect the city to be busy for a few days.
The DMRC has therefore decided to operate trains from 6 AM on September 13 across the metro network.
In any case, candidates travelling to examination centres can take the metro to avoid road restrictions and increased traffic.
The NDA and CDS exams are conducted by the UPSC for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces.
The exams are attended by many applicants and early transportation is very important on the day of the examination.
The NDA and Naval Academy (NA) candidates will have to attend the papers according to their admit card schedule.
The CDS examination will be carried out in many shifts. Aspirants will have to check their reporting time and examination centre details before leaving home.
The early metro service for the aspirants would be particularly beneficial for people coming from far-off areas of Delhi and the National Capital Region.
Instead of driving to metro stations from the road, they could walk to metro stations early and travel through the city's extensive metro network.
They have also advised commuters to plan their trips ahead of time because of the security measures associated with the BRICS Summit.
Candidates should allow time for interchanges, station entry procedures, and any unexpected delays; it is advised to prepare for the trip as well, and the officials say.
For many NDA and CDS aspirants, arriving at the examination centre on time is crucial. Missing the reporting deadline can prevent candidates from appearing for the examination, regardless of the reason for the delay.
The decision to start Delhi Metro services at 6 AM is therefore to make early-morning travel easier for candidates and to encourage public transportation use at a time of increased traffic restrictions, because they will be more accessible to people.
Aspirants appearing for the exam on Sunday should search their admit cards, locate the nearest metro station to their examination centre, plan their route ahead and make their way to the centre. That will help candidates reach the centre well before the time of reporting.
With the BRICS Summit bringing additional movement restrictions to Delhi, the early metro service is expected to make travel considerably more convenient for NDA and CDS candidates on examination day.
