Tech savvy candidates use gadgets as short cut to success in exams

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Conducting competitive exams in a fair manner has become a big headache for various institutions including Staff Selection Commission with the mushrooming of technology gadgets, which is being used by candidates as a shortcut to success.

At a workshop here on Thursday, SSC chairman N K Raghupathy said that the use of mobile phones have been banned but the biggest problem is the use of bluetooth devices by candidates.

Citing an example from Chandigarh, he said that students used bluetooth embedded in the ear to copy during the exams. “We found that of the 12,500 candidates, 200 indulged in malpractice. We have cancelled their candidature and CBI is investigating the issue,” he added.

He said that while the SSC has banned mobile phones in exam centers, candidates are using bluetooth devices. “It can be installed 50 metres away from where the candidate is writing exam. And one could hear what is being read outside,” said Raghupathy.

As a result SSC has come out with a set of guidelines to be implemented in all centers besides frisking of candidates in the exam centers. “We are deploying two policemen in each center to conduct checks on the candidates who are appearing for examps,” said Raghupathy.

Interestingly, the state is also facing similar problems with Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University stating that students are using bluetooth devices as a shortcut to success in exams. “Some hide the phones inside their ties while others in the underwear,” said vice chancellor of the university Dr Mayil Vahanan Natarajan.

He said that the university has asked the colleges to install CCTVs, metal detectors and phone jammers to prevent malpractices.

“We are also planning to have the exam centers changed,” he said. Interestingly, the cyber crime wing of Chennai police said that they have received only one complaint of malpractice in the final year MBBS examination held in February at the Stanley Medical College. “We are conducting investigations into the issue,” said a police source investigating the case.