NLAT 2020: NLSIU to set up 14 test centres in 14 cities, minimum internet bandwidth requirement reduced

National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore has arranged for 14 test centres in 14 different cities for the benefit of those who plan to write the National Law Admission Test (NLAT) 2020..Students who are unable to meet the NLAT 2020 test requirements may write the test from these centres located in the following cities:Aurangabad, MaharashtraBhubhaneshwar, OdishaBikaner, RajasthanChennai, Tamil NaduDehradun, UttarakhandGorakhpur, Uttar PradeshGuwahati, AssamJabalpur, Madhya PradeshJaipur, RajasthanLucknow, Uttar PradeshNashik, MaharashtraRohtak, HaryanaShimla, Himachal PradeshSrinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.The centres will be managed by Testpan India Pvt Ltd, a national centre-based testing company. Testpan will provide technical equipment and space for those students who cannot meet the technical requirements at home. Candidates can avail of this facility at a cost of Rs. 350.It is also clarified,"...if the alternative venue you wish to take the NLAT 2020 from complies with the test protocols published, you can appear for the NLAT 2020 from such other locations. It is not necessary that you take the NLAT 2020 exclusively from your home or the address you have provided in your Application Form – you can appear for the NLAT 2020 from any location that meets the requirements published.".It is understood that these centres will house 350 students each, and are expected to follow all protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19..However, the University has stated,"Please note that the NLSIU is not responsible for technical problems, internet outages or any other issues that may arise at Testpan centres. The arrangement is a private agreement between Testpan and the candidate and NLSIU does not bear any liability in relation to the same.".As per the NLSIU website, the University is working closely with the vendors engaged for NLAT 2020 to explore options that reduce the internet bandwidth requirement for the exam from 1 mbps to 512 kbps. Options are also being explore in order to enable students to write the exam through Mac OS and Linux computers, and Android mobile devices..Update: NLAT 2020 can now be given on desktop computers, laptops and Android mobile devices on Windows (7 or above), MacOS (10.13 and above) and Linux (ubuntu versions 18.04, 16.04, 15.04 only) operating systems.The minimum internet bandwidth has also been reduced to 512 Kbps..[Read the updated tech requirements].NLSIU's move to hold a separate entrance exam for this year has drawn criticism from students and other National Law Universities alike, with the Consortium of NLUs divesting Vice-Chancellor Prof Sudhir Krishnaswamy of the post of Secretary-Treasurer. The University subsequently withdrew from taking any part in the conduct of this year's Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), scheduled for September 28..[Exclusive]: "We are not the only university that feels this way", NLSIU Vice-Chancellor Prof Sudhir Krishnaswamy on NLAT move.Last week, NLSIU had released an exhaustive list of technical requirements for the NLAT, scheduled to be held on September 12. This prompted concerns that students would not have access to the requisite technology to write the online exam..To overcome the accessibility issues involved with the conduct of the NLAT, IDIA decided to set up test centers for those unable to take the examination online because of connectivity/access issues.