SPPU Embraces Digital Transformation for Answer Sheets Amid Budget Scrutiny
Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has taken a significant step toward digitalization by deciding to scan answer sheets for select courses, marking a move three years after its initial announcement. The decision was confirmed during a senate meeting where the university's management council presented its expenditure budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Digital Answer Sheet Initiative to Enhance Transparency
Parag Kalkar, the pro vice-chancellor of SPPU, stated that answer sheets from certain courses will be scanned and uploaded to the Cloud. This initiative allows students to access their evaluated answer sheets online after paying a nominal fee, enabling them to check for potential errors and apply for revaluation if necessary. The university plans to expand this digital system to all courses in a phased manner, aiming to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
Kalkar emphasized the benefits of this digital shift, noting, "This will not only solve the problem of delay in getting photocopies but will be a sustainable solution. Moreover, this will reduce the manpower required." The move is expected to address long-standing issues related to physical document handling and delays in the evaluation process.
Senate Meeting Highlights Budget and Transparency Concerns
The senate meeting, held over two days, saw the presentation of a Rs623.67 crore budget for 2026-27, which is slightly lower than the previous year's Rs629.82 crore. However, the meeting was not without controversy, as senate members expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of written responses to their questions, describing some answers as incomplete, incorrect, or overly brief.
One senate member criticized the inconsistency, stating, "Some answers are just one word, some are incomplete and some are wrong. In some cases, when questions are taken up in the senate meeting, the answers provided orally are different. The questions of senate members cannot be answered this way."
Debate Over CCTV Camera Allocation
A major point of contention during the meeting was the university's decision to allocate Rs10 crore for CCTV camera coverage across the campus. Senate members, including Sachin Gorde Patil, questioned the necessity and cost-effectiveness of this proposal, demanding data on the current status of existing CCTV cameras.
Members raised several critical questions:
- How many of the previously installed CCTV cameras are currently operational?
- Why is the estimated cost for new cameras allegedly higher than required?
- What happened to the funds spent on previous installations and optical fiber projects?
One senate member highlighted past expenditures, saying, "Crores were wasted in laying down optical fibres on the university campus and we are yet to get details about that. Money was also spent to install CCTV cameras across the campus in previous years. What happened to those cameras?"
University's Response to CCTV Concerns
In response to the queries, Kalkar explained that while CCTV cameras exist on campus, they are not centrally controlled, with some departments managing their own systems. He acknowledged that many cameras are non-functional and announced the formation of a committee to develop an end-to-end solution.
Kalkar detailed the plan, stating, "CCTV cameras will be installed wherever required covering the entire campus and it will be centrally controlled so that whenever we need any footage it is immediately available. This will also ensure that the footage is not misused." The university aims to enhance security and accountability through this centralized system.
The senate meeting underscored the ongoing challenges SPPU faces in balancing technological advancements with fiscal responsibility and transparency, as it moves forward with digital initiatives while addressing governance concerns.
