27-05-2025
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University cancels exam after question paper leak
The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University administration found itself in a troublesome situation on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) when a question paper intended for third-year B. Com students was leaked at one of its affiliated colleges and subsequently circulated among students.
The examination to be held on Tuesday was cancelled and will now be conducted before May 31.
Sources in MSU said that a minimum of two senior professors are usually asked to set question papers for each undergraduate subject, and one of the papers is selected by the Controller of Examinations to be sent to a Chennai-based press for printing. After the printing is completed, it would be sent to the principals of the affiliated colleges, as they are the Chief Superintendents of Examinations, five days in advance.
After being set by the professors, the sixth-semester Industrial Law question paper, meant for B. Com third-year students, was printed in the press and shared with the principals of the affiliated colleges one week ago.
When the Controller of Examinations, MSU, U. Balasubramanian received information at around 11 p.m. on Monday (May 26) that the said question paper was leaked from an affiliated college, he discussed the development with Vice-Chancellor N. Chandrasekar, who immediately asked the Controller of Examination to cancel the exam on Tuesday and postpone it.
He also asked the Controller of Examinations to file a complaint with the police for a formal inquiry to identify the person responsible for the leak.
'I was informed about this development this (Tuesday) morning, and the colleges were asked not to conduct the Industrial Law examination on Tuesday. Moreover, the Secretary of Higher Education was also alerted about this issue. We have planned to conduct this examination before May 31 by setting three sets of fresh question papers. Meanwhile, the procedures for filing the complaint with the police have been initiated,' said J. Sacratees, Registrar, MSU.
Sources further said the culprit could be from one of the colleges and might have leaked the question paper with the sole motive of embarrassing the administration. 'Since the question papers would be under their custody for at least five days until the packet is opened on the morning of the examination, the police should investigate and expose the truth,' the sources added.
