Nagpur: A significant revelation has emerged during the ongoing inquiry into examination irregularities at Nagpur University (NU). The university allegedly attempted to shield the controversial exam service provider, COEMPT EduTeck Pvt Ltd, by blaming the earlier agency for the exam mess on grounds that it failed to transfer student data to the IT cell before exiting.
Deposing before the three-member probe panel, representatives of the former examination handler, Promarc Technologies Pvt Ltd, stated that they had transferred student-related data of 3.17 lakh students to COEMPT through the university's IT cell. The investigation is led by NU senate member Manmohan Bajpai.
According to Promarc, the data transfer was carried out through multiple modes, including CDs, hard copies, soft copies, and email communications in universal format — Excel sheets. This claim contradicts the NU administration's earlier stance that Promarc failed to provide required data, which triggered glitches during the 2025 winter and summer examinations.
Speaking to TOI, Bajpai confirmed that Promarc officials told the panel they had handed over all available data. "The university's IT cell officials had stated that data was not transferred in the required format to be passed on to COEMPT. Promarc countered the allegation by saying data was shared in various forms, and it was the duty of the IT cell to cross-check before forwarding data to the new firm. The IT cell had then said they did not check the data sets. The next hearing is scheduled for June 5, when more details are expected to emerge," said Bajpai.
Responding to Promarc's claims, NU Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar said the statements made before the inquiry panel are yet to be technically verified. "We can draw a conclusion after verification by the university's IT Cell and technical experts," she said. Kshirsagar added that the university did not release any payment to COEMPT so far and was simultaneously developing its in-house examination software to reduce dependence on external vendors. "Software customization takes time. We have streamlined the summer examination process and are taking extra care to ensure smooth conduct of exams until the university's own software is ready," she said.
Earlier, NU had served a legal notice to Promarc Technologies over its alleged failure to hand over the data. Promarc officials countered this charge by stating that data was submitted in a machine-readable format. "The database was given in Excel sheets to maintain a single style, and the receiving company would have to write only one program. This has been the set practice since MKCL was hired by NU in 2012," they said. Promarc officials added that they doubt whether the new operator had developed a new exam processing program, which caused the mess.
"Winter exams started on November 27. The new VC took over in December, and only after that did the issue of data transfer crop up. How is it possible to start an exam without data? Also, the university asks colleges to fill out exam forms. Even if Promarc withheld data, it could have easily gotten data from colleges," they said. Promarc has also been added as a sixth respondent in a PIL regarding the massive delay in winter examinations. "This is a golden chance to bring out the truth on data transfer by replying to the court," they said.
