120 exam answer sheets go missing at Calcutta University, 3 examiners under scrutiny

At the University of Calcutta, 120 answer sheets from postgraduate (MA) students have gone missing, triggering a comprehensive investigation into the university's examination protocols. This alarming incident has been officially confirmed by university authorities, who revealed that the answer sheets were last known to be in the custody of three examiners, raising serious questions about the management and security of academic materials.

The answer sheets were reportedly submitted to a coordinator by one of the three examiners, while the other two examiners also mismanaged their respective sheets. The circumstances leading to the disappearance remain unclear, prompting university officials to examine the standard operating procedures for handling and storing examination papers. The university has a history of academic excellence, making this incident particularly shocking and unprecedented; prior complaints have involved issues like lost marks, but never before have physical answer sheets been reported missing.

In response to the crisis, the University of Calcutta is evaluating two main strategies to address the situation and mitigate the impact on the affected students. The first option involves assessing students based on their highest scores in other subjects, allowing for some continuity in their academic records. The second option is to hold re-examinations for the students whose answer sheets have vanished, a solution that would require significant logistical planning and resources. Both options aim to ensure fairness in evaluation, but each carries its own challenges, including potential delays in results and administrative burdens.

Interim Vice-Chancellor Shanta Dutta has publicly acknowledged the gravity of the situation, asserting that while incidents involving academic mismanagement may have occurred previously, the scale of this particular case is unprecedented. She has assured the university community that the administration is committed to upholding academic integrity and maintaining the trust of students and faculty. Dutta confirmed that disciplinary measures against the three examiners are being considered, which may include formal reprimands or notation of the incident in their service records. Furthermore, the university is reviewing its policies and protocols related to the handling of examination materials to prevent such incidents in the future. As the investigation unfolds, the university has pledged to keep students informed and involved in the process. Students are expressing anxiety and frustration over the uncertainty regarding their academic futures, and the university is working to provide timely updates as they develop solutions.