BHUBANESWAR: A question paper from the Odisha medical postgraduate examination was allegedly shared on social media while the test was in progress, triggering an internal investigation, according to news agency PTI.The incident took place on July 27 during the All Odisha Medical PG Examination, when images of the General Surgery second paper for the MS/MD 2023-26 batch were allegedly shared in WhatsApp groups created by some postgraduate students.Officials said there were also claims that answers were circulated from certain phone numbers while the examination was underway.The issue surfaced after a student from a private medical college in Bhubaneswar, who allegedly had photographs of the question paper, informed the authorities. He reportedly said he had received the images through a WhatsApp group created by a student of MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.Following the incident, Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS) Vice-Chancellor Manas Ranjan Sahoo convened a virtual meeting with principals of the medical colleges where the examinations were held. According to MKCG Medical College and Hospital Dean-cum-Principal Harekrushna Dalai, the vice-chancellor directed institutions to tighten security arrangements for the remaining examinations.“It is not a question paper leak. Had the question paper come out before the exam and reached the students, we could have termed it a leak. But, in this case, the question paper came out from the exam hall,” Dalai said.“Despite our routine checking and disallowing of mobile phone sets in the exam hall, we are surprised to find such instances. We wonder what type of electronic devices were used to share images of the question paper,” he added.Dalai said an internal probe is underway to determine how the question paper was photographed and what device was used inside the examination hall.The theory examinations for the 2023-26 batch began on July 21. Two papers are scheduled to be held on August 1 and August 5. A total of 154 students are appearing for the examinations at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
