Amid NEET paper leak protests, Uttarakhand Technical University cancels two exams over fresh leak allegations
PTC Web Desk: As protests over the alleged NEET paper leak continue across the country, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, another alleged examination paper leak has surfaced, this time from Uttarakhand.
Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) has cancelled two engineering semester examinations after an internal inquiry found evidence of a possible breach in the examination process. The university has also registered an FIR against an assistant professor and launched a detailed investigation.
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The cancelled examinations are Machine Learning for Internet of Things and Electromagnetic Field Theory, both part of the 2025-26 engineering semester examinations.
According to the university, the decision was taken after an internal inquiry found indications that the confidentiality of the question papers may have been compromised.
The preliminary inquiry found that Assistant Professor Ashish Kumar Gupta of Shivalik College of Engineering was involved in preparing the question paper for the Machine Learning for Internet of Things examination.
The university alleged that nearly 90 per cent of the questions in the exam closely matched questions that had reportedly been shared with students in a college WhatsApp group before the examination.
During the inquiry, officials also found signs of a possible confidentiality breach involving the Electromagnetic Field Theory paper, leading to the cancellation of that examination as well.
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The university has lodged an FIR against the accused faculty member and initiated a detailed investigation into the matter. Officials are also examining whether the college had any role in the alleged leak and whether there were any lapses in the examination process.
Vice-Chancellor Tripta Thakur said the university acted immediately after receiving information about the alleged paper leak.
She said the internal inquiry revealed that a large number of questions in one of the examinations closely matched those allegedly circulated in a WhatsApp group before the test. The inquiry also pointed to a possible breach involving another examination paper.
Thakur said the university has cancelled both examinations to protect the integrity of the evaluation process and assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty after the investigation is completed.
The latest incident has emerged at a time when examination transparency is under intense public scrutiny. Protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy, have continued in several parts of the country, with the Cockroach Janta Party leading demonstrations and demanding accountability, education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- With inputs from agencies
