Raipur University's IGKV cancels BSc agri 1st-year Plant Pathology exam after paper leak

RAIPUR: The government-run Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) in Raipur has cancelled the BSc Agriculture first-year Plant Pathology examination held on August 7 after a police investigation into a separate case confirmed its question paper had been leaked, officials said.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting chaired by IGKV Vice Chancellor Dr Girish Chandel following the August 20 leak of the Entomology question paper, a BSc Agriculture second-year subject, which led to the arrest of a professor and five students of a private college in Durg district.

A police investigation into the August 20 question paper leak showed that the BSc Agriculture course's first-year Plant Pathology paper, the exam for which was held on August 7, had also been leaked, the officials said on Sunday.

Also read ‘No one feels secure’: Jadavpur University ABVP ‘raid’ leaves students scarred, questioning security question

Re-exam for plant pathology in September first week

The Plant Pathology subject exam would be re-conducted in the first week of September. The re-test for the leaked Entomology paper is also slated during the same period, they added.

The university has also issued a notice to Bharatiya Agricultural College, Durg, and initiated action against it for allegedly failing to ensure confidentiality of the examination, the officials said.

"Strict disciplinary action will also be taken against students of the college detained by Raipur Police in connection with the August 20 paper leak," an official said.

The university has also issued show-cause notices to the observers appointed for the second-year Entomology examination and the first-year Plant Pathology examination held at the Durg college.

Also read Delhi Private Universities Bill: New regulator, zero standards, minister as visitor; why teachers are wary

Raipur University to use modern tech to secure examination process

Stringent measures are being taken to strengthen examination security and prevent further leaks, the officials assured. Following the Entomology paper leak, question papers for the August 22 BSc examinations were sent to colleges through password-protected email, replacing physical copies.

Papers for the 10 am examination were provided to colleges at 9.30 am, they said. The same procedure will be followed for examinations scheduled on Monday.

The number of CCTV cameras will be increased in the university's examination department and exam halls at affiliated colleges. The university is also considering the use of modern technology to strengthen the confidentiality, transparency and security of its examination system , the officials said.