Madras varsity uncovers major exam scam

Results of over 500 candidates who wrote from other states were withheld

Uncovering a major exam scam at the Institute of Distance Education, the University of Madras has withheld the results of over 500 candidates from Tamil Nadu who wrote exams from centres outside the state.

An inquiry by the university has revealed that students were given blank answer sheets to write answers at the rate of `15,000 per paper. Some touts who had joined hands with study centres from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Mysore and Mallapam in Kerala had been running this racket for several years. But for some complaints from disgruntled students the scam would not have come out.

A few months ago the university had received unanimous letters levelling allegations that candidates from Chennai were writing exams in Mumbai to clear their arrears. The letters also alleged that candidates were paying money to agents and that some staff members were also involved in the racket.

Following the letters, officials from Controller of Examinations verified the answer sheets of December 2016 exam. “Why candidates from Chennai or Tiruvallur have to go to all the way to Mumbai to write their exams?” was a troubling question that prompted the officials to start a fullfledged inquiry.

Some answer sheets had extraordinarily beautiful handwriting with no errors. This raised suspicion. “We found same handwriting in many papers. One candidate had over 10 different handwritings for his arrear papers,” a source said adding that it strengthened suspicion.

Many of these candidates who had bulk arrears had cleared almost all the papers in one go. “Some candidates who had more than 15 arrears cleared 14 or 15 papers at one go, which is very difficult for even regular students”, the source disclosed.

Following the investigation, the Controller of Examinations had withheld the results of 500 candidates from Chennai and adjoining districts.