Raipur: Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) in Raipur has cancelled the BSc Agriculture first-year Plant Pathology examination conducted on August 7 after a police investigation found that its question paper had also been leaked, officials said.
The development came during the investigation into a separate question paper leak involving the BSc Agriculture second-year Entomology examination. The August 20 leak had resulted in the arrest of a professor and five students of a private college in Durg district.
The decision to cancel the August 7 Plant Pathology examination was taken during an emergency meeting chaired by IGKV Vice Chancellor Dr Girish Chandel.
According to officials, the police investigation into the August 20 Entomology paper leak revealed that the Plant Pathology question paper for the first-year BSc Agriculture examination had also been leaked.
The university subsequently decided to cancel the examination that had already been conducted on August 7.
The university will conduct the Plant Pathology examination again in the first week of September. The re-examination for the leaked Entomology paper is also scheduled to take place during the same period.
The developments follow the August 20 question paper leak involving the Entomology examination, which is part of the BSc Agriculture second-year course.
IGKV has issued a notice to Bharatiya Agricultural College in Durg and initiated action against the institution over allegations that it failed to maintain the confidentiality of the examination.
The university has also issued show-cause notices to observers appointed for both the second-year Entomology examination and the first-year Plant Pathology examination conducted at the Durg college.
"Strict disciplinary action will also be taken against students of the college detained by Raipur Police in connection with the August 20 paper leak," an official said.
Following the Entomology question paper leak, IGKV changed the way examination papers were distributed for the August 22 BSc examinations.
Instead of sending physical copies, the question papers were sent to colleges through password-protected email. Papers for the 10 am examination were shared with colleges at 9.30 am, officials said.
The university will follow the same arrangement for examinations scheduled on Monday.
Officials also said the number of CCTV cameras will be increased in the university's examination department as well as examination halls at affiliated colleges.
IGKV is also considering the use of modern technology to improve the confidentiality, transparency and security of its examination system, officials said.
The measures are being taken as the university works to strengthen examination security and prevent further question paper leaks.
