Cash-for-marks: TN’s Anna University under scanner for taking bribe

CHENNAI: The cash-for-marks scam unearthed by DVAC may well hold answers to the abysmal standards of engineering graduates who pass out of Anna University every year, as much as it raises questions on the credibility of the biggest technical university in Asia with 530 affiliated colleges.

The involvement of controller of examinations GV Uma has shocked many. Former Anna University vice-chancellor M Anandakrishnan told TOI that the scam was unheard of anywhere in the country. Vigilance officers who unearthed large-scale malpractice in the re-evaluation of papers of April-May 2017 exams, too are surprised how well-oiled the rigging machinery ran.

Sources said that a closed group of professors controlled the re-evaluation mafia. Once a student fails in the examination and applies for re-evaluation, agents swing into action and convey to the students that the “problem can be fixed,” as a source put it. Around 12 lakh students write semester exams every year; in the April/May 2017, 3.02 lakh applied for re-evaluation, of whom 90,000 got higher marks.

“Even if half of the students had paid Rs 10,000 for higher marks, this means Rs40 crore for just one semester exam. The controller of exams post is for three years, during which at least six exams are conducted,” said a source.

This was also during the period when the university was without a vice-chancellor. Before M K Surappa was appointed in April 2018, the university was headless for two years. Surappa’s predecessor M Rajaram is facing a DVAC case for taking bribes for appointment of professors.

Here’s how the re-evaluation process should ideally take place in the university. A student who wants to apply for re-evaluation has to pay Rs 700, of which Rs 300 is for the photocopy of the answer script. After a subject expert confirms that there can be a change of mark in the script, the controller of examination comes into the picture. The controller decides the re-evaluation centre and appoints officers who are in charge of ensuring accuracy and quality of valuation.

Last year, however, protocols were violated and the controller of examinations colluded with re-evaluating professors to forge answer sheets and illegally award higher marks to students who had paid bribe. The scam now unearthed pertains to a central re-evaluation process at Tindivanam, which was selected as the valuation centre for the zone. There are 23 zones, each with a zonal coordinator. Apart from Uma, the other main accused are P Vijaykumar, assistant professor and dean at the University College of Engineering, Tindivanam and R Sivakumar, assistant professor maths at the same college. The other accused are examiners R Sundarajan, M Mahesh Babu, N Anbuselvan, C N Pratheeba, I Pragatheeswar, M Rameshkannan and S Ramesh.

Incidentally, it was after the evaluation of the April/May 2017 examinations in November last year, that Anna University debarred more than 1,100 faculty members from valuation. This was after variations of up to 40 marks were found in more than 50,000 of the 2.5 lakh answer scripts. For variations up to 20, 30 and 40 marks, the professors were barred for one, two and three years respectively.

DVAC officials are considering the possibility of some of these professors being penalised for not toeing the line of the scamsters. “In that case, we may get some new tips from the debarred professors,” said an official. TOI tried to reach Uma, but in vain.

DVAC sources said they would conduct a detailed investigation and file more FIRs if needed after questioning more people. The agency has booked a case under sections for cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and destroying evidence, apart from corruption.