2,000 Pune students get zero marks in exam due to printing error

Due to a printing mistake by an agency appointed by the state council of examinations to print marksheets, at least 1,965 students who received marksheets in their Diploma in teacher education, scored zero marks in one subject, while second year students were shocked to see that amongst the ‘practical’ subjects, social work had replaced the physical education subject.

Officials at the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), which conducts the exam and distributes marksheets, called the incident a technical error. “If you see the marksheet, the total of marks is correct. Only in one subject (work education), students are marked as zero marks but it doesn’t affect total marks. So no students have failed because of this misprinting and hence no question of pressure on students arises. We have called for the marksheets to be returned and revised marksheets are now being handed out to students through their colleges,” said R V Godhane, commissioner, MSCE.

However, asked about what action is being taken against those responsible for this error, Godhane said a show cause notice has been sent as per contract to the agency which was given the contract for printing the marksheets.

“It is the first time that this agency was given the work. We do open tendering process and they had the lowest bid. Of course we will take action after we receive their reply,” he added. Meanwhile, until Thursday afternoon, at least 1,300 students had already received their revised marksheets.