Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University has cancelled two B.Tech exams following allegations that an assistant professor leaked questions via WhatsApp. An FIR has been filed against the accused, and fresh exams are scheduled for August. The incident has triggered protests and calls for a deeper investigation into exam security protocols.
Detailed Coverage
Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) has cancelled two third-year B.Tech semester examinations after an investigation identified a breach in exam confidentiality. The cancelled papers are for 'Machine Learning for Internet of Things' and 'Electromagnetic Field Theory,' both of which were originally conducted on July 7.
Investigation and Regulatory Action
The university's action follows an internal inquiry that alleged Ashish Kumar Gupta, an assistant professor at Shivalik College of Engineering, shared exam questions with students via WhatsApp and the college's internal digital portal on July 3. Evidence, including digital records from mobile devices, led the university to bar the professor from all examination-related duties for seven years. Vice-Chancellor Tripta Thakur has directed the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) to initiate formal legal proceedings against the accused.
Impact on Students and Academic Schedule
The cancellation has caused significant disruption for the affected B.Tech students, leading to demonstrations led by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) in Dehradun. The students have expressed concerns over the impact of these irregularities on their academic records and future career prospects. In response to the backlash, the university has scheduled fresh examinations for these subjects to take place in the third week of August.
Government and Institutional Response
The state government has adopted a firm stance on the matter, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declaring that strict action will be taken against any individuals found responsible for malpractice in academic or government testing. Local law enforcement in Dehradun has formed two specialized committees to conduct a thorough probe into how the questions were accessed and distributed. Political leaders have also called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to review the integrity of the university's examination processes. The university is currently reviewing its security measures for handling sensitive academic documents to prevent similar lapses in the future. The primary monitorable for students and stakeholders remains the official announcement of the rescheduled exam dates and the findings of the ongoing police investigation.