Students in Haryana submit fake Covid reports to evade offline exams

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, April 5

Several students pursuing professional and postgraduate degrees at state universities, and affiliated colleges have reportedly submitted forged Covid-positive certificates to avoid taking offline examinations.

This came to light after Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) here received more than 2,500 applications from students of the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), requesting the authorities for online examinations. These students had attached medical certificates, including Covid-positive reports, as a reason for not taking the offline exams.

State universities have allowed students having genuine reasons to take online examinations in view of the pandemic. Most universities, however, do not have a foolproof mechanism to curb the use of unfair means during online exams.

“During scrutiny, a committee found a lot of fake documents. Necessary action will be taken against erring students. If proved (guilty), such students will be debarred from taking the examinations in future,” states a notice issued by UIET Director Prof Yudhvir Singh recently.

When contacted, the Director said: “Many students cited medical reasons, including Covid, for taking online exams. Some of the Covid-positive reports seemed doubtful. Hence, these were rejected. Strict action will be taken against students who have submitted forged certificates.”

BS Sindhu, MDU Controller of Examinations (CoE), said: “Colleges affiliated to the MDU and the university are verifying the medical certificates given by students. Appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty.”