Can a paper of 80 marks have wrong questions carrying as many as 63 marks. Nagpur University seems to have established such a dubious
landmark. Over 10,000 first year engineering students appearing for their Engineering Mechanics subject on Monday were shocked to see the question paper where as many as five questions carrying 63 marks were incorrect.
The aggrieved students complained that Question Nos 3, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were wrong and full of printing mistakes. All the questions carried 13 marks each except No 7 that carried 11 marks. The students demanded all 63 marks be given to everybody or a reexamination, though the second option would be tiring for them as they will have to study for the paper again.
Lecturer of applied mechanics in Government College of Engineering in Chandrapur Bajirao Mohite confirmed that there were corrections in at least five questions.
"Even we were shocked when the students pointed out mistakes in so many questions. Sadly, the university authorities completely denied it. We told the students to remain positive and solve the remaining questions. We have taken complaints from them and forwarded them to the controller of examinations (CoE)," said Bajirao Mohite, lecturer of applied mechanics in Government College of Engineering, Chandrapur.
University's CoE Devendranath Mishra had switched off his mobile phone when TOI tried to contact him.
Mohite added that questions of at least 50 marks were wrong and university should seriously look into it. Expert in 'Engineering Mechanics' RK Ranjan told TOI that the paper-setter failed to provide requirements with the questions and diagram without which the problems could not be solved. Therefore, the students had to assume certain values for solving the problems.
"I have checked the entire question paper after students came to me. I found out questions amounting to 63 marks were incorrect. This is a serious lapse on the part of the university and they should compensate the students," he said. Dean of engineering DK Agrawal pleaded ignorance, but said he would look into it and would not let students suffer.