Telangana University Scrambles to Fix Exam System After ₹2 Crore Paper Leak Scandal
Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agriculture University in Hyderabad has launched a sweeping review of its examination paper distribution system. This urgent move follows the discovery of a major paper leakage scandal that has shaken the institution.
Digital System Exploited for Financial Gain
The investigation uncovered that the university's recently implemented password-based digital distribution system was compromised. Sources indicate that certain officials manipulated this system for personal profit.
These individuals allegedly circulated question papers through WhatsApp groups. They did this in exchange for substantial monetary payments from students or intermediaries.
Initial estimates suggest these officials could have illegally earned at least ₹2 crore every semester. The total financial scale of this operation remains under active investigation. Authorities are still working to determine the complete extent of the gains.
University Considers Returning to Physical Distribution
In direct response to this breach, the university is now forming a dedicated committee. This committee has a clear mandate: to thoroughly examine the current digital mechanism.
A key option on the table is a potential return to the older, physical system for distributing question papers. This comes amid serious concerns about the security of the digital process.
The stakes are high. The university collects significant revenue, between ₹2 crore and ₹3 crore, each semester through its examination fees. Protecting the integrity of this process is now a top priority.
Security Lapses and Protocol Violations Exposed
The inquiry revealed additional, troubling security failures. Despite explicit rules prohibiting it, some university employees were reportedly carrying mobile phones into examination centers.
This blatant violation of protocol has raised serious questions about the enforcement of security measures within the university's walls. It points to a broader culture of lax oversight that may have enabled the leaks.
The institution currently operates 13 affiliated colleges across Telangana. These colleges enroll approximately 10,000 students in various agricultural and related courses.
Pressure Mounts Before Upcoming Exams
With the next round of semester examinations scheduled for April and May, the university administration faces immense pressure. They must act quickly to restore trust and secure the examination process.
University sources have stated a clear goal. "By that time, we aim to completely overhaul the system to improve its effectiveness and efficiency," they said.
The previous system, which involved a limited number of trusted employees physically transporting sealed question papers, is now viewed in a new light. While logistically challenging, it is being reconsidered as a potentially more secure alternative to the flawed digital model.
The scandal underscores the vulnerabilities introduced by rapid digital transition without robust safeguards. The university's next steps will be closely watched by students, educators, and institutions across the state.
