DAVV Implements Daily Cap on Student Viva Assessments by External Examiners
In a significant move to enhance academic integrity, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) in Indore has established a strict daily limit on the number of students an external examiner can assess during viva voce examinations. The university has now capped this figure at a maximum of 120 students per examiner per day, aiming to ensure thorough and equitable evaluation processes for all students.
Addressing Concerns Over Rushed Evaluation Practices
The decision comes following persistent audit objections and growing apprehension about hurried assessment procedures across affiliated colleges. Reports had surfaced indicating that in numerous institutions, external examiners were conducting viva examinations for between 150 to 300 students within a single day. Since viva voce constitutes a crucial component of internal assessment for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, such excessive volumes raised serious questions about the time allocated to each student and the overall quality of the evaluation process.
For students, this regulatory change promises substantial relief. Typically, a proper viva examination requires five to seven minutes per student, featuring subject-specific questions designed to gauge comprehension and analytical abilities. However, when examiners faced hundreds of students daily, many candidates reported that the process deteriorated into a mere formality characterized by limited interaction and superficial questioning.
Financial Scrutiny and Implementation Measures
DAVV Examination Controller Ashesh Tiwari revealed that financial considerations also prompted scrutiny. External examiners receive payment per student assessed, and the unusually high daily numbers had resulted in inflated financial claims, drawing audit objections. In response, the university has not only established this clear numerical limit but has also issued comprehensive instructions to all affiliated colleges regarding compliance.
To ensure robust implementation, the examination department will actively monitor viva schedules and adherence to the new regulations. Colleges have received specific guidance that if student numbers exceed manageable limits, they must appoint multiple external examiners rather than overburdening a single individual. This approach aims to distribute assessment loads more evenly while maintaining evaluation quality.
Restoring Credibility in Academic Assessments
The university's initiative is widely viewed as a crucial step toward restoring credibility in internal assessment mechanisms. By guaranteeing that each student receives adequate time and attention during viva examinations, DAVV aims to transform these evaluations into more rigorous, transparent processes that align with established academic standards, rather than remaining procedural exercises.
This policy adjustment reflects a broader commitment to educational excellence, ensuring that assessment practices genuinely measure student understanding and contribute meaningfully to academic outcomes. The move has been welcomed by academic communities as a positive development toward maintaining assessment integrity across higher education institutions.
