In a surprising turn of events, students aspiring to pursue a Ph.D. through research were found cheating during the coursework examination conducted by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) on Saturday. The examination, essential for Ph.D. registration and research initiation, was marred by administrative failures in controlling exam centers.
The university had arranged coursework examinations for Ph.D. candidates who had completed a mandatory one-month training. The exams were held across four centers in two slots, with approximately 1,136 students from faculties including Science and Technology, Humanities, Commerce and Management, and Interdisciplinary studies. Of these, 942 students attended the examination.
The students had previously passed the Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) in September 2023 and were required to undergo a mandatory coursework training before the examination. However, reports indicate that students exploited a lack of oversight during the exams, utilizing online browsers on their mobile devices to find answers due to inadequate restrictions on electronic devices.
The examination included three subjects: Introduction to Research (40 marks), Writing Techniques (20 marks), and Research Methodology (60 marks). The incident highlights significant lapses in examination protocols and enforcement of academic integrity.