70% questions matched: Chhattisgarh university cancels BSc Agriculture exam

Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya cancelled its BSc Agriculture second-year Agricultural Entomology examination after a question paper circulated on WhatsApp. The move prompted a four-member probe, student protests and an assurance of strict action from the state government.

In Short

• Agricultural Entomology examination was scheduled across affiliated colleges at 10 am
• Dean's office received an email about a suspected leak around 9 am
• Officials said the circulated paper matched roughly 70 per cent questions

The Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) in Raipur has cancelled a BSc Agriculture second-year examination after a question paper surfaced on WhatsApp shortly before the scheduled test, prompting allegations of a paper leak. The university has ordered a probe into the matter.

The examination for Agricultural Entomology was scheduled for August 20 at 10 am across colleges affiliated with the university. According to university officials, the dean's office received an email around 9 am raising concerns about an alleged question paper leak. The email, however, did not contain a copy of the question paper.

Soon after, a question paper began circulating in some student WhatsApp groups with claims that it was the leaked examination paper. A university official said the circulated document did not completely match the actual paper, but around 70 per cent of the questions were found to be similar.

UNIVERSITY CANCELS EXAM, FOUR-MEMBER PROBE ORDERED

The university subsequently cancelled the examination. In its official communication to affiliated colleges, IGKV cited “administrative reasons” for the cancellation and said the examination would be conducted again in the first week of September.

The university has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the matter. Officials said further action would be taken after the committee submits its findings.

Students have been advised to follow official university notifications and remain in contact with their respective colleges and dean's offices for information about the revised examination schedule.

The development has also triggered protests and demands for action. Students alleged that the examination paper had appeared on social media nearly two hours before the scheduled examination and submitted a memorandum to the university administration seeking an investigation.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the state government had taken note of the matter and assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.

“The university administration has cancelled the examination and constituted a four-member probe committee,” Sai said, adding that the matter would be investigated and action taken against anyone found guilty.

The university is expected to announce the revised examination date separately. The probe will determine whether the question paper was actually leaked and how the document circulating on WhatsApp came to resemble a substantial portion of the actual examination paper.

- Ends