The state joint entrance examination board has decided to connect to the engineering aspirants through Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to share information on the prospects of studying engineering and the previous counselling pattern at a time when the pandemic is raging and physical assembly is banned.

The JEE board usually holds mock counselling sessions immediately after the publication of the results across the states and prospective candidates assemble to gather information before taking part in the online counselling.

This year, this process cannot be held because of Covid-19 and therefore, the board has taken the online route, said JEE board chairman Malayendu Saha.

The board, in a feedback form uploaded on the board’s website www.wbjeeb.nic.in has asked the candidates to share basic information like name, contact number and WhatsApp number, if any.

The candidates have also been asked to tell the board whether they have a Facebook account or an Instagram account and whether have access to a laptop/PC with Internet connection.

JEE board chairman Saha said they had started the exercise from June 27 and it would continue till July 7.

The board this year had held the test in February and the publication of the results has been withheld, as the academic session has not started.