KOCHI: The Kerala Technological University (KTU) on Friday withdrew the question paper for semester-I BTech examination, on suspicion of leakage of the question paper.
Principals of colleges affiliated to the varsity have been informed that the new question paper would be delivered late on Friday.
This is the first exam being conducted by the KTU after it came into existence on May 21, 2014, with the goal of leading technology-related policy formulation and engineering planning for the State.
The question paper, which was printed by the Kerala Books and Publications (KBPS), was delivered to some colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha. Later, it was noticed that the question paper was packed with a transparent material, making the content of first and last page visible. Usually, question papers are packed using carbon paper.
“Earlier, we were informed that the question paper would be distributed from December 30 to January 1. We are not aware of leakage of the question paper. We have not been informed about the change in the date of delivery and the new schedule of examination,” said the principal of a reputed private engineering college in Kochi.
Earlier, the KTU had plans to introduce a web-based examination system, which enables publication of results within five days. However, it was not launched due to protest from various quarters against appointment of a private agency for providing technical support.
Under the web-based system, the Controller of Examinations would randomly select one question paper from among many question papers, one hour before the examination. Then, the selected question paper would be sent to the examination centres online.
The principal or an authorised person at the respective college would download the password-protected question paper and print it at the exam centre instantly. After the examination, the answer scripts would be scanned and uploaded to the central server.