Odisha PG medical exam paper leaked on WhatsApp, government initiates probe

The alleged breach comes just as Parliament clears a tougher anti-paper leak law in the wake of the nationwide NEET-UG controversy.

In Short

• OUHS began an internal inquiry after images surfaced during July 27 examination
• Officials suspect a device entered the hall despite existing security checks
• Authorities are tracing how photographs were taken and shared before conclusion

Even as the Centre has tightened laws against examination fraud following the NEET UG paper leak controversy, Odisha is investigating a fresh case of an alleged question paper leak during a postgraduate medical entrance examination.

The Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS) has ordered an internal inquiry after photographs of the question paper from its General Surgery theory examination for the 2023-26 MS/MD batch were allegedly circulated on WhatsApp while the examination was still in progress on July 27.

According to officials, the images appeared to have been taken from inside an examination hall, indicating that someone may have managed to bypass security checks by carrying an electronic device into the centre. Authorities are now trying to determine how the paper was photographed and shared before the examination concluded.

DECISION TO RECONDUCT OR CANCEL EXAM WILL DEPEND ON FINDINGS OF ENQUIRY

The university has begun collecting information from examination centres and reviewing the sequence of events to establish whether the leak compromised the integrity of the test. Officials have not yet announced whether the examination will be cancelled or reconducted, saying a decision will depend on the findings of the inquiry.

The incident has surfaced at a particularly sensitive time for the country's examination system. Parliament on Thursday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, strengthening penalties for organised paper leaks and examination malpractice after the nationwide outrage over the NEET UG 2026 leak.

The amended legislation provides for stricter punishment against organised cheating networks, including longer prison terms, higher monetary penalties and faster investigation of examination-related offences. The government has said the changes are aimed at restoring confidence in public examinations after repeated instances of paper leak allegations.

The Odisha episode is separate from the NEET UG case currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). On Thursday, the CBI filed charges against 13 people in connection with the NEET UG 2026 paper leak, including alleged middlemen and officials linked to the examination process.

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