Students Edgy As NU Summer Exams Raises Heat With ‘Repeated Errors’

Nagpur: A series of alleged examination-related lapses within three days has raised questions over Nagpur University (NU) summer examination process. The allegations ranged from missing examinee sheets to confusion over question paper and exam schedule. Student organisations ABVP and NSUI have accused the university of poor coordination and inadequate safeguards, claiming that repeated errors are causing anxiety among students and raising concerns over credibility of the examination system.As per NSUI, around 25 students of BSc Physics, Statistics and Mathematics turned up at Dr Ambedkar College, Deekshabhoomi, and Annasaheb Gundewar College for their examinations on Tuesday, June 2. Their hall tickets mentioned these two colleges as centres, but officials said the attendance sheet was not generated. The attendance sheet is provided to a centre a day in advance to ensure exam planning and arrangements. NU examination section officials said the sheet was not generated due to a technical error. "The centre was asked to allow students to appear for the exam as they had valid hall tickets," NU officials said. Students said they faced considerable inconvenience and mental stress due to the confusion. During the episode, attempts were made to contact the officials concerned, but they allegedly did not respond to phone calls. "Owing to a lack of coordination between the university and college administrations, students remained confused and anxious," NSUI said. NSUI said that if NU and the agency handling examination operations, COEMPT, continue to display such an indifferent approach towards students, it could adversely affect the university's credibility as well as students' academic future. The organisation demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident and strict action against the responsible officials. A senior NU examination official told TOI that another batch of second-year BSc students sought a question paper scheduled for June 5 on Wednesday. "The exam centre contacted us and said students were under the impression that they had another paper today. They have two open electives. They came prepared for the second one scheduled for Friday. Ultimately, students were asked to appear in the scheduled one. We are not sure how they managed," he said.On May 30, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Nagpur city unit, complained of serious errors in the BA LLB Labour Law-II examination. Students alleged that they had prepared for exam as per BNS while the IPC questions were asked in the paper. A delegation of ABVP met deputy registrar Motiram Tadas and pro-VC Akhilesh Peshwe, demanding action. NU officials said there was confusion between the old and new courses, and an expert opinion on IPC and BNS was sought. The expert told students they could attempt either as it was optional.