The Assam government has suspended mobile internet services to prevent cheating in an exam being held for selecting candidates to fill 27,000 posts in various departments of the state government.

The exam is part of the largest recruitment drive in the state for which around 14 lakh candidates have applied.

Internet services won't be available in the districts where the exam is being conducted, according to a government statement.

Section 144 of CrPC will be imposed as tight security arrangements have been made in every examination centre, the statement added.

Candidates as well as the invigilators have been barred from carrying mobile phones or any other electronic gadgets into the examination centres. The centre-in-charge in each examination centre has been directed to video graph the examination centre.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a virtual meeting with deputy commissioners and other district officials to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams. The chief minister told the officials that there should be no complacency while conducting the exam.

The first phase of the examination for filling Grade-III and Grade-IV posts is being held today, followed by August 28 and September 11.