Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Nursing Student Denied Exam Over Beard
A 23-year-old nursing student named Abu Bakr was stopped from taking his final-year practical exam at a hospital in Ahmedabad because he had a beard.
The examiners said he needed to shave it to take the exam.
Abu Bakr explained that he couldn't shave his beard for religious reasons, but the examiners didn't accept this and said he needed approval from the Gujarat Nursing Council.
After his college authorities intervened, he was finally allowed to take the exam, but much later than scheduled.
This isn't the first time this has happened to him; he faced a similar issue a year ago at another hospital.
The Gujarat Nursing Council says there's no rule against beards, and they will look into the matter.
Abu Bakr, a 23-year-old nursing student, was denied entry to his final-year practical exam at SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad due to his beard.
Examiners claimed he needed to shave his beard to be eligible, despite his explanation of religious reasons.
College authorities intervened, and he was allowed to take the exam at 11:30 am, an hour and a half after the scheduled time.
This is the second time Abu Bakr has faced such an incident; he had a similar experience a year ago at Sheth LG General Hospital.
The Gujarat Nursing Council (GNC) stated there is no rule against beards and will look into the matter.
- Who
- Abu Bakr, a 23-year-old nursing student
- What
- Denied entry to a practical exam due to his beard
- When
- On a Tuesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- SVP Hospital, Paldi, Ahmedabad
- Why
- Examination staff claimed he needed to shave his beard to be eligible
- Student's Name
- Abu Bakr
- Age
- 23
- Institution
- Shama General Nursing School, Ahmedabad
- Exam Type
- Final-year practical exam for GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) course
- Exam Centre
- SVP Hospital, Paldi, Ahmedabad
- Regulatory Body
- Gujarat Nursing Council (GNC)
- Incident Date
- Tuesday (specific date not mentioned)