Jayapur, Sep 19: The Ability Enhancement Course (AEC) English examination for Plus III second-semester students at Vikram Dev University in Jayapur was postponed on Friday. This decision followed the alleged circulation of a question paper on WhatsApp just hours before the scheduled test.
The compulsory undergraduate examination was originally set to take place from 2 pm to 5 pm across approximately 56 centers affiliated with the university. University authorities chose to defer the test after students brought several question papers forward for verification, one of which matched the original paper prepared for the examination.
University Controller of Examinations Ranjan Kumar Pradhan stated that students approached him at around 11 am to report the WhatsApp leak. After reviewing four to five different papers, the administration confirmed that one matched the authentic test material, leading to the immediate suspension of the exam. All examination center superintendents were subsequently notified of the postponement.
In response to the incident, the university lodged a formal complaint with the Koraput Cyber Police Station to investigate how the question paper leaked and how the circulated version matched the original.
Pradhan noted that the involvement of miscreants remains a possibility and that the circulation could alternatively have been an attempt to mislead students. The true circumstances will be determined once the police investigation concludes.
The university has advised students to ignore unverified messages and rumors on WhatsApp, urging them to rely exclusively on official communications. A fresh question paper will be drafted, and the university will announce the revised date and timing in a separate notification.
