Experts weigh in with 'infra for online exams', UPSC model

After Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (i4C) has pointed out the role of dark web and Telegram channels in UGC-NET paper leak, experts have suggested building an online infrastructure and examining the model of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts prelims and mains examination for aspiring civil servants.

Former Kerala DGP LN Behera told ET: "Conducting exams completely online will first require building infrastructure. Even for police recruitment, such infrastructure needs to be set up. The immediate model which may be examined is that of UPSC."

Behera, who had investigated cases related to medical exam scams during his stint with CBI , suggests use of artificial intelligence and question banks. "The first golden principle in exams of such scale is that the lesser the number of people in the system know about question paper and keys, the lesser the chances of any leakage," he added.


Former UPSC chairman Deepak Gupta told ET over phone: "The important issue is how to assess people in the medical fraternity. They are not reading books that they are supposed to and only concentrating on multiple choice questions. The coaching institutes are mushrooming."

A former cyber security expert said there are models worldwide which can be studied to conduct examinations online and leak proof.

United Doctors Front Association chief Lakshya Mittal said, "Many students were complaining about Telegram messages claiming 'guaranteed 180' questions. Authorities even posted a notice asking students not to believe them. Had authorities taken those complaints seriously, all this could have been avoided in a timely manner."

Mittal also pointed to the INICET 2024 (AIIMS) exam, which had rank inflation like NEET-UG. "Unfortunately, that exam is going unnoticed. I feel an inquiry should be set up into those results as well. At a score where you had a 5,500 rank last year, you get a 20,000 rank this year, despite teachers' evaluation comments of the paper being tricky and tough," he added.