Question papers repeated in two separate instances in major mix-up at Calicut University
As per regulations, even if the subject is the same, the question papers for minor-1 and minor-2 must be different.
As per regulations, even if the subject is the same, the question papers for minor-1 and minor-2 must be different.
As per regulations, even if the subject is the same, the question papers for minor-1 and minor-2 must be different.
Kozhikode: Two separate instances of repeated question papers have been reported from Calicut University within a span of a few days.
On Tuesday, November 25, Undergraduate students appearing for the Multi Disciplinary Course (MDC) examination in The Art of Stress Management were given the same question paper used in 2024, with only the date changed. In a similar lapse, the question papers distributed for the minor-1 and minor-2 categories of the subject Basics of Communication — a course offered by the journalism department and open to students from other departments — were also identical.
The exam for students who opted Basics of Communication as a minor-1 subject was held on November 18, while those who took it as minor-2 wrote the exam on November 20. As per regulations, even if the subject is the same, the question papers for minor-1 and minor-2 must be different.
Ordinarily, if an exam is conducted with an incorrect question paper, it must be cancelled and rescheduled. The repeat incident has therefore left students uncertain about whether they will have to reappear for a fresh examination.
A department head from the psychology department of a self-financing college in Kozhikode confirmed that the MDC question paper was an exact replica of last year’s. “The question paper the students wrote on Tuesday was the same as the 2024 one, but with a new date. The year 2025 is clearly printed at the top. The order of questions and the marks are identical,” the HOD told Onmanorama.
Meanwhile, Dr P Sunoj Kumar, Controller of Examinations at Calicut University, said the repeat of last year’s paper had come to their notice and the matter would be forwarded to the University Board of Studies once a formal complaint is received.
“As usual, we received three different sets of question papers from external teachers. One of these sets turned out to be a repeat of last year’s paper, but we noticed it too late. There should have been proper cross-checking by the teacher responsible for the question papers, though it is a confidential process,” he said.
He added that he would also look into the repetition of the Basics of Communication paper for minor-1 and minor-2. “I will check that as well. Once the question bank system is fully functional, such repetitions will not occur,” he said.