A suspected question paper leak has been reported at Gujarat Ayurved University (GAU) in Jamnagar, days after protests over examination paper leaks in Delhi ended with the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The suspected leak is linked to the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) examination. The matter came to light after several questions from the ‘Shalya Tantra-1’ paper, which deals with surgical methods, were allegedly circulated on a messaging platform.
The examination was held on July 20, and the university administration reportedly became aware of the circulation of the questions later that day.
BJP Spokesperson Says Independent Investigation Will Be Held
Gujarat BJP spokesperson Dr Anil Patel said on Monday that he had received primary information about the suspected paper leak.
According to Patel, the in-charge Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Ayurved University, Dr Nareshkumar Jain, has assured that an independent investigation will be conducted into the matter.
Patel said that anyone involved in compromising the future of students would face strict action. He also said that Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was taking the matter seriously and that the state health minister had also taken note of the issue.
Calling the matter non-political, Patel said that paper leaks are a non-bailable offence in Gujarat and expressed confidence that those found guilty would face strict punishment.
Questions Allegedly Found on Mobile Phones
The university’s in-charge Registrar and Examination Director, H P Jhala, later spoke to local media about the issue.
Jhala said the matter concerns the Shalya Tantra-1 examination, which was held on the morning of July 20 and ended at around 12:30 pm.
According to him, the university was informed in the evening that several important questions from the examination paper were available on mobile phones.
However, Jhala said that the examinations are still in progress and that the allegation currently concerns only one paper.
He said that once the Vice-Chancellor returns to the university, an investigation committee will be formed to examine the matter and establish what actually happened.
Same Paper Used in 20-25 Colleges
Jhala also said that the same question paper was used for examinations conducted in around 20 to 25 colleges.
The university is expected to take further action after the investigation committee examines the allegations and determines whether the paper was actually leaked.
The university’s in-charge Vice-Chancellor, Dr Nareshkumar Jain, and in-charge Registrar H P Jhala did not respond to calls or messages from The Indian Express on Monday. Jhala, however, later spoke to local media about the issue.
Jairam Ramesh Raises Wider Concerns
The suspected leak also triggered a political reaction. Former Union minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh referred to the Gujarat Ayurveda University case in a post on X and criticised the BJP government over the issue of examination paper leaks.
Ramesh claimed that Gujarat had witnessed 34 paper leak cases between 2014 and 2024. He referred to several recruitment examinations, including the GPSC Chief Officer’s Paper, Talati examinations, TAT-Teacher Paper, Mukhya Sevika Paper, Nayab Chitnis Paper, Lokrakshak Dal Paper, Non-Secretariat Clerk Exam, Head Clerk Exam, DGVCL Vidyut Assistant Exam, Sub Auditor Exam, Forest Guard Exam and Junior Clerk Exam.
He also alleged that the 2024 Uttar Pradesh police recruitment examination leak was orchestrated from Ahmedabad.
Ramesh described Gujarat as an “epicentre of all paper leaks in India” under the BJP and called for a broader discussion on reforms in the examination and education system.
Investigation Will Decide the Next Course of Action
The latest case at Gujarat Ayurved University remains a suspected paper leak at this stage. The university has said that an investigation committee will be formed after the Vice-Chancellor returns.
The committee is expected to examine how questions from the Shalya Tantra-1 paper allegedly reached mobile phones and whether the questions were circulated before or during the examination.
With the BAMS examinations still underway, the university has indicated that further action will be taken after the investigation establishes the facts of the case.
Also Read: 34 Paper Leaks In 10 Years: Is Gujarat’s Anti-Leak Law Working? https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarat-paper-leak-cases-anti-paper-leak-law-effectiveness/
