Key Points
- The second-year B.Sc. Entomology final semester exam was cancelled following student protests over alleged question paper leaks.
- Question papers were reportedly circulated across WhatsApp groups prior to the scheduled 10:00 AM start time.
- Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai confirmed the formation of an inquiry committee and assured strict legal action.
- University officials are investigating whether circulated questions were authentic or AI-generated, referring the digital evidence to cyber police.
- A decision regarding a re-examination will be finalized following the inquiry committee’s formal report.
Protests Erupt Over WhatsApp Paper Leak
Tension flared at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGKV) in Raipur on Thursday when the question paper for the B.Sc. second-year, second-semester Entomology examination was widely circulated on social media platforms, including WhatsApp, nearly two hours before the test was scheduled to begin.
As digital copies of the question paper spread among students, widespread outrage erupted across the university campus. Protesting students gathered in large numbers demanding immediate accountability and the cancellation of the compromised test. Under mounting pressure, university authorities intervened, halting the examination process and setting up an official committee to probe the breach.
Government and Administration Response
Addressing the incident, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai confirmed that the state government is monitoring the situation closely. He stated that the university administration acted swiftly to cancel the exam and constituted an investigative committee. The Chief Minister reiterated that once the inquiry report is submitted, stringent legal action will be initiated against those found responsible.
The incident occurs against a broader backdrop of national scrutiny regarding examination integrity, following recent high-profile student demonstrations addressing paper leak concerns in major academic hubs across the country.
University Clarifies Timeline and Investigation
Dr. Kapil Dev Deepak, Registrar of IGKV, outlined the sequence of events leading up to the cancellation. According to university protocols, sealed question papers were opened at 9:30 AM for the examination scheduled between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
The administration noted that an anonymous email alleging a paper leak was received at 8:54 AM, but the claim could not be verified in real time while physical question papers were already en route to exam centers, and initial claims remained unverified, leading the office to receive formal confirmation only after the session began. Following an internal review and evidence submitted directly by student representatives, the Vice-Chancellor authorized an immediate and comprehensive investigation.
Digital Forensics and Re-Examination Decision
Authorities are examining the circulated materials to determine whether the leaked content originated from the official paper set or was fabricated using artificial intelligence tools. Given the digital nature of the dissemination, university officials are liaising with the police cyber and social media crime cell to trace the origins of the digital leak. University management confirmed that student interests will be prioritized, and a formal schedule for a re-examination will be announced once the inquiry verifies the extent of the compromise.
