400 Medical Students Caught Cheating In Gujarat; University Avoids Taking Action
In an unprecedented move to address a massive cheating incident, the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) has decided not to penalise nearly 400 students in postgraduate, undergraduate, medical, and paramedical courses.
According to the Indian Express report, in-charge register controller A V Dhaduk said the university will present the students before a malpractices inquiry committee and send them for counselling after understanding why they cheated.
Reportedly, several instances were recorded of cheating, including slipping currency notes into answer sheets requesting to be ‘passed’, sneaking in mobile phones to use ChatGPT and solve the paper, scribbling notes on the body, handkerchiefs, and benches, etc.
Out of these 400 students, 226 were asked to remain present before the committee, and among these, 14 students were identified to be sent for counselling. The VNSGU, Surat, termed this process ‘Education With Understanding’.
Notably, 94 students were caught using chits to cheat, while 45 were found in possession of chits. While 21 students were caught copying from notes on rulers, erasers, and hall tickets, 17 had answers written on their arms and legs, and 15 used handkerchiefs, clothes and benches to scribble answers. 11 students were caught using calculators and electronic devices, six students used ChatGPT to generate answers, and three slipped currency notes into their answer sheets, requesting that examiners ‘pass’ them.
The five-member committee – it comprises a member of the board management committee, an executive council member, a dean, a senior advocate of the Gujarat High Court, and the examination controller of VNSGU – held a hearing on Monday and Tuesday, and 153 students appeared before it.
Reportedly, the next session of hearing will be conducted next week, when the remaining students will be called and heard.
In 2024, at least 130 students had been caught cheating at the same university. A student who had slipped in a Rs 500 note was slapped with a Rs 2,500 penalty and barred from taking exams for six months.
