Bhubaneswar: Ruling out a question paper leak in the Odisha postgraduate medical examination, the Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS) on Friday described the circulation of the General Surgery question paper during the examination as an act of “malpractice” rather than a paper leak. The university said strict action would be taken against those responsible once the inquiry is completed.
Addressing a press conference, OUHS Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Manash Ranjan Sahoo said the university acted immediately after learning that images of the question paper had allegedly surfaced on social media while the examination was underway at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur.
“If the question paper had gone viral before the examination commenced, it would have been considered a ‘paper leak’. However, the examination began at 10 am, and the paper surfaced only after it had started. Therefore, it is a case of ‘malpractice’ and not a ‘paper leak’,” Sahoo said.
He said the university convened a meeting with the deans of all government medical colleges a day after the incident to review security arrangements and ascertain how the breach occurred.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, students were frisked before entering the examination hall, but it appears that someone managed to carry a mobile phone inside despite the security checks.
“The Dean of MKCG Medical College has constituted an inquiry committee, and we have sought its report. Since the entire examination was conducted under CCTV surveillance, the inquiry will establish where the lapse occurred and who was responsible. Appropriate and stringent action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said.
Sahoo said the university had already strengthened security arrangements for the remaining postgraduate examinations. The functioning of the flying squads has also been modified to ensure stricter monitoring at examination centres.
He added that the university’s malpractice guidelines would be invoked while determining the punishment for those found involved.
“The committee will examine all aspects of the incident and recommend action in accordance with the University Act, statutes, and examination regulations,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also directed all medical colleges to tighten frisking protocols for both students and invigilators.
“I have instructed all deans that, apart from students, invigilators must also undergo frisking before entering the examination hall. Except for the Centre Superintendent, no invigilator should carry a mobile phone inside the examination hall,” he said.
The controversy erupted after photographs of the General Surgery Second Paper for the MS/MD (2023–26) batch were allegedly shared in WhatsApp groups during the All Odisha Medical PG Examination held on July 27.
The matter reportedly came to light after a student from a private medical college in Bhubaneswar informed the authorities that he had received photographs of the question paper through a WhatsApp group allegedly created by a student of MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
Following the incident, the OUHS Vice-Chancellor held a virtual meeting with the principals of medical colleges conducting the examinations and instructed them to reinforce security arrangements for the remaining papers.
Sahoo said the university is awaiting the inquiry report from MKCG Medical College before deciding on disciplinary and legal action against those found responsible.
