KANPUR: Around two dozen candidates appearing for the Uttar Pradesh BEd Joint Entrance Examination fell into a sewage drain after a damaged concrete slab collapsed outside an examination centre in Kanpur on Sunday morning, police said.The incident took place near HN Mishra PG College in MacRobertganj, where candidates had gathered near a photocopy shop before entering the examination centre.According to officials and eyewitnesses, the concrete slab covering the drain gave way under the weight of the crowd, causing around 20 to 25 candidates to fall into the sewage-filled drain.Four candidates suffered minor injuries, while several others had their clothes, books, admit cards and other documents damaged in the incident.Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said the candidates had gone to a shop in the Nagar Nigam market area to get photocopies of documents required for the examination.“The old drain slab collapsed due to overcrowding. A few people suffered minor injuries, but there was no loss of life,” Lal told news agency PTI.He said assistance was provided to the injured and the candidates were later able to reach their examination centres.Police said one injured guardian was taken to hospital for treatment.Local residents and other candidates rushed to the spot and helped pull those trapped out of the drain.The incident sparked protests by candidates and parents, who alleged negligence by civic authorities and questioned the condition of public infrastructure near the examination venue.Shalu Shukla, whose daughter was among those affected, said she received a distressing call after the incident. “She was crying and said she had fallen into the drain. Her clothes were ruined, and she was terrified. This happened because of negligence,” Shukla alleged.Khushi, a candidate from Hanspuram in Naubasta, claimed that candidates were informed at the last minute that photocopies of their Aadhaar cards were required, leading to a rush at nearby shops.“There was a huge crowd, and the slab suddenly gave way. Around 20 to 25 people fell into the drain,” she said.Amit, who had accompanied his sister to the examination centre, said he was injured when the slab collapsed.“My knee was scraped, and my hand was injured,” he said.Despite the disruption, police said the BEd entrance examination was conducted as scheduled at all 19 centres in the city under tight security arrangements.