Missing question papers force Madhya Pradesh university to cancel postgraduate exam
The exam was called off shortly before it was due to begin at 11 am, and has been put off until further notice.
The Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) cancelled a Computer examination for second-year post-graduate students of its School of Biotechnology on Friday, after question papers were allegedly reported missing from the examination centre.
The exam was called off shortly before it was due to begin at 11 am, and has been put off until further notice.
University authorities have alleged that nine sealed packets containing the question papers were stolen during the intervening night of Thursday.
“Someone broke in through a window and stole the sealed envelopes before the exam began. The administration discovered the theft in the morning,” said a police officer.
An FIR has been registered with the Gandhinagar Police Station and a probe is underway.
“Yesterday morning, I was intimated about missing papers from the examination centre. I rushed to the spot. I noticed a broken window and some scattered items. I instructed a few faculty members to lodge an FIR,” said Vice-Chancellor Alok Sharma.
Seeking answers
Following the incident, Vice-Chancellor Sharma issued separate show-cause notices to School of Biotechnology director Archana Tiwari and the post-graduate examination controller, directing them to submit written explanations in three days.
“As Controller of Examinations, it is expected of you to ensure the confidentiality and security of question papers. Due to this incident, serious doubts have been raised about the management of university examinations. Therefore, you are directed to mandatorily submit your written clarification within three days of receiving this letter,” stated one of the notices.
Anti-national move, says V-C
Sharma alleged that the theft was part of a larger attempt to tarnish the university’s reputation.
“This is the handiwork of people who are hostile to the university and to Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
Sharma added that the university has sought explanations from the heads of departments concerned and that it was in the process of constituting an inquiry committee to examine the security breach.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the security of examination material and the university’s protocols for storing and handling confidential question papers.
The Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) cancelled a Computer examination for second-year post-graduate students of its School of Biotechnology on Friday, after question papers were allegedly reported missing from the examination centre.
The exam was called off shortly before it was due to begin at 11 am, and has been put off until further notice.
University authorities have alleged that nine sealed packets containing the question papers were stolen during the intervening night of Thursday.
“Someone broke in through a window and stole the sealed envelopes before the exam began. The administration discovered the theft in the morning,” said a police officer.
An FIR has been registered with the Gandhinagar Police Station and a probe is underway.
“Yesterday morning, I was intimated about missing papers from the examination centre. I rushed to the spot. I noticed a broken window and some scattered items. I instructed a few faculty members to lodge an FIR,” said Vice-Chancellor Alok Sharma.
Seeking answers
Following the incident, Vice-Chancellor Sharma issued separate show-cause notices to School of Biotechnology director Archana Tiwari and the post-graduate examination controller, directing them to submit written explanations in three days.
“As Controller of Examinations, it is expected of you to ensure the confidentiality and security of question papers. Due to this incident, serious doubts have been raised about the management of university examinations. Therefore, you are directed to mandatorily submit your written clarification within three days of receiving this letter,” stated one of the notices.
Anti-national move, says V-C
Sharma alleged that the theft was part of a larger attempt to tarnish the university’s reputation.
“This is the handiwork of people who are hostile to the university and to Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
Sharma added that the university has sought explanations from the heads of departments concerned and that it was in the process of constituting an inquiry committee to examine the security breach.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the security of examination material and the university’s protocols for storing and handling confidential question papers.
