Mumbai: Law students given 2021 question paper in exam

First-year law students appeared for the constitutional law exam on Tuesday. File pic

Hundreds of first-year law students appearing for their second-semester examination at the Government Law College (GLC) and K C college were in for a shock, when they were handed the wrong question paper on Tuesday. By the time the goof-up was realised, half an hour had passed and students had almost completed the multiple choice questions (MCQ) section. While a new question paper was eventually received by the examiners and given to the students, over an hour was wasted. Students who appeared for the constitutional law exam on Tuesday claimed they were given the question paper from last year.

'Wrong question paper'

"In the first-year exams on Tuesday, the students completed the half-hour MCQ section after which we were told that this was the wrong question paper and the college had printed the previous year's paper. While exams at many other colleges were about to get over, we at GLC and KC college were awaiting new question papers," said a student from GLC.

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The format also included descriptive type questions (DTQ). The exam was held from 11 am to 1.30 pm. "KC students experienced this too, so this seems to be a goof-up on the university's part. There was so much chaos and confusion," said another student. Despite repeated calls and messages, Asmita Vaidya, principal of Government Law College, did not respond.

‘Who is responsible?'

A former senate member of Mumbai University Pradeep Sawant, sought an explanation, saying, ‘The previous year's question paper on constitutional law was given to the students. After half an hour, the question paper was changed as soon as some examinees noticed this. Who is responsible for the anxiety and confusion experienced by the students due to this goof-up? It is due to the current political drama in Maharashtra, because of which Mumbai University has no full-time officials. The vice-chancellor, Pro vice-chancellor and even director of the Board of Examination (BOE) are in charge. We condemn the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities and demand a clarification on goof-ups like these."

In a statement issued in the evening, a Mumbai University spokesperson said, "Due to some technical reason, the previous year's question paper was sent to the colleges by mistake and given to the students appearing for the exams. After realising the error, new question papers were sent to the colleges immediately. Revised papers were given to the students at 12 pm. Also, students were given extra time to complete their exam."