Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has cancelled the BTech Computer Science 6th semester exam for the Computer Networks subject following
the paper leak allegations. The incident is being considered as one of the biggest examination security violations. The examination was conducted on May 21 at multiple centres. The suspicion arose after invigilators at a Noida examination centre reportedly recovered handwritten slips carrying answers that matched several questions from the official question paper. The matter became more serious when a student was caught with a mobile phone, which contained the official question paper just before the examination process had concluded. According to the rules of the university, mobile phones are strictly prohibited in the examination hall. It raised concerns about how the students got their hands on the official paper before the examination. According to the university’s preliminary investigation, question papers were uploaded in a digital form 30 to 40 minutes before the examination began. In actuality, the papers can only be accessed after decryption using authorised institutional login credentials. Officials suspect that the login ID and password of an examination centre have been misused to illegally access the paper before the exam. It is also believed that a few students must have prepared cheating material in advance, after receiving the leaked questions. The authorities of the University also said that the initial findings point towards negligence at a Noida-based college, which was among the examination centres. The institution’s credentials were allegedly used without authorisation to download and distribute the paper. Following confirmation of the leak, AKTU had officially cancelled the examination. It also assured students that a fresh date sheet will be announced for the Computer Networks paper. AKTU Examination Controller Prof. Deepak Nagariya said the university is conducting a detailed investigation, and strict action will be taken against those responsible. In addition to that, he said that the digital paper distribution system will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in future. At the same time, several complaints have been filed with the cyber cell and Noida Police. Investigators are tracing the accessibility of credentials and the channels through which they circulated. A four-member committee has been formed by AKTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. J.P. Pandey, which is headed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajeev Kumar, and is also conducting a detailed probe into the incident. Corrective measures are being recommended to strengthen the University’s examination security system.
