Uttarakhand University of Technology cancels two exams after suspected paper leak, orders retesting | Today’s news
The Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun (VMSB-UTU) in Dehradun has canceled the examinations of two subjects after an inquiry found that an external question setter allegedly shared questions with students ahead of the exams, according to an official order.
The university commissioned new examinations for Machine Learning for Internet of Things (subject code IOTT004) and Electromagnetic Field Theory (subject code ECT043) which were conducted as part of the even term examinations of the 2025-26 academic session.
The complaint led to a high-level investigation
According to the university’s order, the decision followed a complaint regarding a machine learning exam for the Internet of Things.
Based on the complaint, the university formed a high-level inquiry committee on the instructions of the vice-chancellor. Separately, it also conducted an internal inquiry into Shivalik College of Engineering, Dehradun, where an external paper setter was employed.
The investigation found that Ashish Kumar Gupta, an assistant professor at Shivalik College of Engineering, Dehradun, who was appointed as an external question maker, allegedly shared the same questions with students through the institute’s internal portal and on WhatsApp before the exam.
The university has described the alleged sharing of questions as a serious breach of confidentiality, integrity and academic standards of its examination system.
Second paper also cancelled
The investigation further found a strong possibility of similar irregularities and breaches of confidentiality in a question for Electromagnetic Field Theory, also prepared by Gupta.
“Maintaining the credibility, purity and interest of students in the examination system first,” the university said in canceling both examinations with immediate effect.
The resit exams for these two subjects will be held in the third week of August 2026. The university said that the detailed time sheet and list of examination centers will be published separately on its official website.
Professor expelled for seven years
The university has directed all affiliated institutions to immediately inform the affected students about the cancellation and schedule of resit exams so that they have enough time to prepare. Institutions have also been directed to upload the order on their websites for the benefit of students.
In addition, the university has banned Ashish Kumar Gupta, an assistant professor at Shivalik College of Engineering, Dehradun, from doing any exam-related work for VMSB-UTU for seven years with immediate effect.
The university also issued a strong warning to Shivalik College of Engineering, Dehradun, alleging that it had failed to maintain adequate monitoring and control mechanisms at the institutional level. He directed the institute to ensure that the faculty members strictly adhere to the confidentiality and integrity requirements of the examination system to avoid any recurrence.
