Probe on into exam paper ‘leak’ at Gujarat Ayurved University

Drawing attention to the matter and quoting a news report, former union minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote in a post on X, “Another day another paper leak – this time in the Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar. This is not an exception. Gujarat has witnessed 34 paper leaks between 2014 and 2024. The GPSC Chief Officer’s Paper in 2014, Talati Paper in 2015 and 2016, the TAT -Teacher Paper, Mukhya Sevika Paper, Nayab Chitnis Paper and Lokarakshak Dal Paper in 2018, the Non-Secretariat Clerk Exam in 2019, the Head Clerk, DGVCL Vidyut Assistant and Sub Auditor Exams in 2021, the Forest Guard Exam in 2022 and the Junior Clerk exam in 2023 were all leaked. Even the infamous UP police recruitment examination leak of 2024 was orchestrated from Ahmedabad. Gujarat under the BJP has become the “epicentre of all paper leaks in India”.”

BJP spokesperson Dr Patel told mediapersons on Monday that he had “primary information” about a paper leak in the Shalya Tantra department and that the V-C had assured an “independent investigation”.

“Anyone who tries to play with the future of students will not be spared. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel takes these matters seriously; The health minister has also taken cognizance of it and I have full faith that those found guilty will be dealt with in the strictest manner”, dr Patel said.

“The V-C (Dr Nareshkumar Jain) has promised an independent investigation and I feel it will be expedited. This is not a political subject. In Gujarat, this is a non-bailable offence”, he said

Jairam Ramesh added in a post on X, “The Modi Government’s fast-track courts are not a solution to this systemic issue. It is a diversion. We need a larger and more honest conversation on how to reform our examination and education system.”

Neither in-charge V-C Vd. Nareshkumar D Jain, nor in-charge Registrar H P Jhala responded to calls or text messages from The Indian Express on Monday.

However, speaking to local media around 9 pm on Monday, Jhala said, “The issue is with the paper Shalya 1 which was held on July 20 morning and ended at 12:30 pm. I was informed about several important questions from the paper, that were on mobile phones, only in
the evening.”

Asked by the mediapersons if the allegation of paper leak was now under investigation, Jhala, who is also in-charge Examination Director, said, “The examinations are still underway and this matter is only regarding one paper. Once the V-C returns to the university, we will form an investigation committee and prove the matter.”

The same exam question paper was used in the examination in 20-25 colleges, said Registrar Jhala, who also said that once a committee
is formed and it investigates the matter, further action would be taken by the University.