Question of security
Failproof measures need to be adopted to avoid question paper leaks and maintain the integrity of important exams
xams are not confined to educational institutions but are also used in other areas to evaluate talent for employment or elevation. In this context, the cancellation of two exams held in Uttar Pradesh in February is disturbing. The police recruitment exam taken by over 43 lakh candidates was held across 2,385 centres across 75 districts and had a mere 0.014 probability of success. The State Public Service Exam for the post of Review Officers had over 10 lakh candidates and was held across 2,000 centres in 58 districts.
There are two aspects of concern. One is the mental stress and anxiety of the candidates who would have not only worked to prepare but would have had to deal with the logistics and expenses to take the exam. Second is the reason for cancellation: leaking of the question papers. There is talk of coaching centres, individuals and candidates being involved in this.
EIn the past
The issue of question paper leakages has been a vexing problem in education. Just take a look at the following examples: January 2024, Rajasthan Teacher Recruitment Exam; April 2023, a teacher leaked a Class 10 exam paper in Telangana; 2020, four government employees were arrested with regard to a recruitment exam for junior engineers in Rajasthan; 2003, the CAT exam paper was leaked;
An initiative from Kotak Securities Limited (KSL) to support students.
Open to PwD applicants from Classes 9 to 12 or pursuing general/ professional graduation in India who have secured at least 55% marks in their previous academic year.
Eligibility:
SBI Youth for India Fellowship
The SBI Foundation invites applications for the 13month programme, which aims to empower youth to create transformative change in rural communities.
Themes: Health, Rural Livelihood, Food Security, Environmental Protection, Education, Water, Technology, Women’s Empowerment, SelfGovernance, Social Entrepreneurship, Traditional Craft and Alternate Energy.
Eligibility: Those between 21 and 32 years who are either Indian citizens or hold an OCI card or citizens of Nepal or Bhutan and are committed to advancing sustainable development objectives in rural areas. https://bitly.ws/3gcbR
James Dyson Award
The James Dyson Foundation, invites entries of novel inventions that tackle a pressing realworld problem.
Eligibility: Entrants must be, or have been within the last four years, enrolled for at least one semester in a UG or PG engineering/ designrelated course at a university in a country or region chosen to participate in the James Dyson Award.
Last date: July 17 https://bitly.ws/3gcbL
M. Sc. Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
The University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, the U.K., invites applications for its oneyear 1997, the IITJEE question paper was leaked in some centres, including Tirupati.
Today with exams being conducted both offline and online, the question paper may be a printed one or an electronic one.
In the first case, the issue of security begins at the press. The printer should be selected on the basis of reputation rather than the “lowest quote”. A representative of the examining organisation should be physically present during printing, packaging and despatch of the papers.
The packets should be received by the superintending officer of each centre who should store them securely until the exam. Anna University, Chennai, had adopted this proce
Annual family income must not exceed ₹3.2 lakhs
Up to ₹1 lakh a year April 30
Online www.b4s.in/edge/KSSP1
Rewards: Deadline: Application:
An opportunity offered by the University of Bath in collaboration with the British Council’s Study UK campaign.
Open to Indian students with a valid passport
Eligibility:
course starting in September 2024.
Eligibility: Minimum secondclass (2:2) Honours degree in Science or Engineering; two references (at least one academic). Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (with no component below 5.5). https://bitly.ws/3gcbA
The university is also offering a number of scholarships for students joining postgraduate taught courses in September 2024 and for PG and research applicants joining the Faculty of Engineering in the 202425 academic year. For details of scholarships and eligibility criteria, visit https://bitly.ws/3gcqt
MBA International Programme
BenGurion University of the Negev (BGU), Israel, invites applications for its oneyear MBA International Programme at the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management.
Eligibility: UG degree from an accredited university with minimum GPA of 80 (according to the Israeli grading system); Minimum GMAT score of 580 and quantitative score of 40. Minimum TOEFL score of 80.
Last date: October 15 https://bitly.ws/3gi8H
PGDM at BSM
Badruka School of Management (BSM), Hyderabad, invites applications for its twoyear fully residential programme.
Eligibility: Class 10 and 12 from a recognised board. UG or PG degree in any discipline from a recognised institution. Valid score in CAT, GMAT, XAT, TS ICET, ATMA or any other state level management entrance exam. dure for its entrance exams, including the Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Exams, without a problem.
On the other hand, when the question paper is sent to the exam centre to be printed, the email should be encrypted and the password made available only to the designated authority.
Online mode
When it comes to online exams, in many cases, the paper may differ from candidate to candidate. However, technical glitches can affect the conduct of the exam and also have an impact on the question paper security. This is what happened in the first edition of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2022 who hold an offer from the University of Bath to pursue a fulltime, Postgraduate taught Master’s course starting in 2024 and are classified as international students for tuition fee purposes. £10,000a year
Online
May 20 www.b4s.in/edge/UBG01
Rewards: Application: Deadline:
A joint initiative of University College London (UCL), the https://bitly.ws/3gice
PG programmes at UPES ON
UPES ON, the digital education arm of UPES University, has partnered with L&T Edutech, to introduce two new PG Programmes in Industrial Safety and Renewable Energy, and a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA).
Last date: June 15 https://bitly.ws/3gcy9
Social Scholarship programme
University Living has launched and the exams had to be postponed in many centres
In 2018, technical snags of a large magnitude occurred in the online exam conducted by the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates. The authorities immediately switched over to offline mode in the affected institutions and got over the difficulty with only 30 minutes delay. Such measures can be adopted by allowing for adequate manpower and basic materials such as a master copy of the question paper kept ready to create the required number of hard copies in convenient nodal centres.
British Council, and the GREAT Britain Campaign.
Open to Indian nationals who have applied to study for a fulltime Master’s degree at UCL in 2024/25 and have received an offer for a place by the closing date.
£10,000 a year
Eligibility: Rewards: Deadline: Application:
Online Deadline: May 7 www.b4s.in/edge/GUC1 the third edition of its Social Scholarship programme to provide financial assistance to Indian students planning to pursue higher education overseas.
Eligibility: Applicants must have received an offer for a fulltime UG or PG degree or diploma at a university in the U.K. or Australia and show their involvement in initiatives that foster social cohesion, empower underprivileged communities, or promote environmental/animal welfare. Last date: May 31 https://bitly.ws/FoKA
I am 24 years old and have a B.Com with over two years of work experience. I want to pursue an MBA and have quit my job to prepare for the CAT. Am I too old to do an MBA? Natasha
Dear Natasha,
No, you are not too old to study further. But ensure that doing an MBA aligns with your longterm goals and objectives. Identify your specialisation, as it will contribute to your professional development. Your work experience will help, as it offers a practical advantage. The CAT is a tough exam, so, develop a wellstructured study plan and consider joining a coaching centre or an online training programme that will give you the discipline and time management skills you need.
I am currently pursuing a degree in Economics. How can I get an Economics-related job in the U.K.? Aparna
Dear Aparna,
Do well in your current course and cover key and relevant areas such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Apply for a Master’s programme in the U.K. based on your career goals, as many positions require a Master’s or Ph.D. in Economics. Stay updated and informed about the current trends, policies, and industry developments.
Specific job requirements will vary and so you might need to tweak your application and resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Work on developing your quantitative and analytical skills and proficiency in statistical software like Stata, R, or Python; gain practical experience through internships and summer jobs; and join professional associations to network and meet professionals in the field. Attend career fairs, conferences, seminars and company presentations to learn about various job openings. Explore portals like Indeed, LinkedIn, and industryspecific websites to find related jobs. Build an online presence to showcase your education, skills and relevant experiences.
I completed B.Sc. Industrial Microbiology and Biochemistry in 2023. I wish to pursue M.Sc.Psychology. Is this possible? Hisana
Dear Hisana,
In India, the eligibility criteria for M.Sc. Psychology is an undergraduate degree in Psychology. But many universities also accept students from diverse undergraduate Science backgrounds, so it is essential to check the admission mandate, criteria and specific requirement of the universities and colleges that you are interested in.
While it possible to pursue a Master’s in Psychology abroad even if your undergraduate degree is in a different field, you may need to fulfil certain prerequisites to complete the foundational knowledge necessary by taking additional classes or credits to meet the requirements. Some universities offer preMaster’s programmes or postBaccalaureate courses to help students bridge this gap and complete this mandatory requirements. Check the college website for admission requirements and start a discussion with the academic counsellor to understand their process.
You might also need a GRE score, letters of recommendation (LORs) from professors or professionals about your abilities and academic potential in the field of psychology and a compelling statement of purpose (SOP) that outlines your motivation to do a Master’s in the field. Highlight all relevant experiences, such as internships, research projects, or work experiences that demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the field.
I am 21 years old and in the final year of B.A. English through IGNOU. While I want to do my PG, I am unable to do so due to my financial situation. What are the possible options for a job? Sabith
Dear Sabith,
Financial difficulties can be a challenge. However, there are various job options available. Your skills in communication, critical thinking, and writing are valuable in several fields. Here are some potential options that may not be directly related to your field of study but can serve as a stepping stone to gaining work experience and financial stability. Explore opportunities and study further when your financial situation improves.
You can be: a content writer, creator or editor in websites, blogs, and marketing materials; a copywriter in advertising agencies and marketing firms for advertisements, promotional materials, and campaigns; a social media manager to manage the online presence of organisations and companies; a customer service representative at a call centre, addressing inquiries and concerns; or a freelance writer on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Other options include teaching, tutoring, working as administrative assistant, a data entry operator, digital marketing assistant or sales and marketing assistant
Disclaimer: This column is merely a guiding voice and provides advice and suggestions on education and careers.