Patna University Admit Card Blunder: Student's Gender and Photo Altered
In a shocking incident at Patna University (PU), an MA Urdu third-semester student has reported a severe discrepancy in his admit card downloaded from the university's official website. The student, Zabir Ansari, was preparing for his examination scheduled for Thursday when he discovered that his document incorrectly listed him as a female candidate and featured another student's photograph.
Details of the Admit Card Error
According to Zabir Ansari, the aggrieved examinee, he was both surprised and deeply shocked upon downloading his admit card for the third-semester MA examination. The document not only displayed a photograph of a female candidate instead of his own but also contained an error in the spelling of his name, which appeared as "Zabir Anari" rather than Zabir Ansari. Interestingly, the names of his father and mother were correctly mentioned, adding to the confusion over how such a mistake could occur.
Sources within the university have indicated that an official from the chancellor's secretariat has initiated necessary inquiries into this lapse from the PU office. This move highlights the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the issue, given its potential impact on the student's academic progress and the university's reputation.
University's Response and Past Incidents
PU examination controller Benoy Kumar Lal addressed the situation by clarifying that the university administration is not directly responsible for individual student admit cards. He explained, "The university issues login IDs to individual students, who are then required to fill up online examination forms themselves by creating a secret password. Since universities transitioned to the online system, students have had to manage their examination forms and admit card downloads independently."
Lal pointed out that mistakes often arise when students with limited knowledge of online procedures seek assistance at cyber cafés. He added, "In some cases, if students do not protect their passwords, their friends may play pranks by inserting incorrect texts or photographs. Only last year, one student's admit card bore the photograph of a dog instead of the examinee."
He assured that the discrepancy in Zabir Ansari's case would be rectified promptly, and the student would be permitted to write his examination on Thursday after the necessary corrections are made to the admit card.
Historical Context of Similar Issues
This incident is not an isolated one in the realm of higher education in Bihar. In 2022, at least three undergraduate examinees from L N Mithila University were issued admit cards featuring photographs of prominent figures such as PM Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Bihar governor Fagu Chauhan. The university had responded by lodging an FIR against the students under the IT Act, underscoring the legal ramifications of such errors.
The recurrence of such blunders raises significant questions about the robustness of online examination systems and the need for enhanced security measures to prevent unauthorized access or tampering. Students and educational institutions alike must prioritize cybersecurity and proper training to avoid similar mishaps in the future.
As Patna University works to resolve this case, it serves as a critical reminder for all universities to implement stricter verification processes and provide better support for students navigating digital platforms. Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of examination documents is paramount to maintaining trust and fairness in the academic evaluation process.
