Away centres for PG science exams to curb cheating
Times of India | 9 March 2025
Kolkata: Calcutta University's postgraduate exams of science subjects will no longer be held at home centres. Following complaints of rampant cheating, the university has decided to hold the exams at away centres, where students from multiple affiliated institutes will take the tests.
This unanimous decision was taken at the Feb 28 CU Syndicate meeting, where two exam reforms for science faculty were firmed up, confirmed interim VC Santa Datta De.
The university, which is already conducting inquiries into several complaints of mass cheating, hopes the away centres—tagged ‘common centres' by CU—would check unfair practices during exams. "Exams for students studying postgraduate courses in CU-colleges were held at the respective institutes or home centres but the answer scripts were evaluated by university teachers," Datta said. These students will now be assigned exam centres at other colleges. "The move aims at bringing about greater transparency to the exam system." To ensure fair exams, Datta said, the postgraduate exams on the CU premises would be held in halls, rather than in department classrooms, and invigilators would be appointed from other departments.
Girish Chandra Bose College principal Asit Kumar Sarkar supported the move, saying, "Postgraduate students should take exams at common centres, given the numerous complaints of mass copying."
Similar measures might be extended to other faculties in future, said an official.
Following the Syndicate meeting in Feb, CU issued a notice to its affiliated colleges on two exam-related reforms—one, teachers, appointed by respective state-aided college to tide over staff shortage, and guest teachers would not take part in the exam process and two, those studying PG science at affiliated colleges will have to take their exams at away centres. "These decisions were taken following proper procedure through the Syndicate, our highest decision-making body," Datta told TOI. The exam resolutions prompted resignation by two principals, all Syndicate members. A third principal is also reportedly in the process of sending the resignation. Datta expressed surprised at the protests, saying Syndicate members had their chance to voice their concerns during the meeting.
Bagbazar Women's College principal Anupama Chowdhury, one of the four to quit Syndicate, cited communication difficulties with other principals as a reason for her resignation. "There was a gap in communication when Syndicate approved proposals, while they were being discussed with other principals." West Bengal College and University Professors' Association opposed the decision to exclude SACT and guest teachers from the exam process.
Datta pointed out PG courses were permitted in only those affiliated colleges that had adequate permanent teaching positions, underlining the university's commitment to maintaining academic standards.