An MSc Chemistry supplementary examination was postponed on Saturday due to ‘unavoidable’ circumstances: the college principal had taken the day off with the keys of the locker where question papers were kept, sources said.
Principal of Yuvaraja College (autonomous) H Nanjegowda went on leave to attend a wedding in Tumkur, putting administrative officer Prof Mahajabeen in charge.
However, he had forgotten to hand over the keys of the locker.
This came to light when MSc Chemistry students appeared for the examination on ‘Nuclear and Photo Chemistry; Microwave and Infrared Spectroscopy’ (subject code-CHPHCT-2.4).
The principal was immediately alerted, but was unsuccessful in persuading Controller of Examinations R Ganesha to provide the students with copies of the question paper in his custody. Ganesha adhered to the rules of the University of Mysore (UoM) and asked for an authorisation in writing from the principal to do so, sources said.
Finally, Principal in charge Mahajabeen decided to postpone the examination.
When Express tried to contact Mahajabeen, she refused to respond. But she announced the postponement of examination on the notice board of the college.
The circular said: “Due to unavoidable circumstances, the PG Make-Up Examination scheduled to be held on Saturday at 10.30 am is postponed to Tuesday at 10.30 am. Inconvenience caused is regretted.”
Nanjegowda admitted to Express that he was on leave on Saturday. However, he cited a reason involving preparations for the inauguration of extra curricular activities on Monday for the postponement of the exam.
“As we have to prepare for the programme, I informed UoM Vice-Chancellor K S Rangappa to conduct the examination whenever convenient,” he said.
The time table of the examinations for MSc Chemistry students on Choice Based Credit System has been scheduled from August 27 to September 2. Due to the recent postponement, the examination will extend till September 3.