Garhwal Post Bureau
Srinagar (Garhwal), 14 Jul: The entrance examination conducted by Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University on 12 July for admission to PhD programmes in various disciplines for the academic session 2025-26 was successfully conducted at four examination centres: Srinagar (Chairas Campus), Tehri, Dehradun, and Delhi. The University had ensured all necessary arrangements for conducting the entrance examination as per the pre-determined action plan. Each examination centre had a centre head, assistant centre head, supervisors, room inspectors, control room officers, and security personnel. Detailed guidelines were strictly followed to ensure the confidentiality of question papers, verify the identity of candidates, and maintain the purity of the examination. According to the report of the university-appointed supervisors, the examination was conducted in a completely peaceful, orderly, and fair manner at all examination centres located in Srinagar (Chairas Campus), Tehri, Dehradun, and Delhi, with no irregularities or complaints received from anywhere. The power supply at the examination centre located on the Chairas campus was briefly disrupted during the examination, but due to the available alternative arrangements, it did not adversely affect the conduct of the examination.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., a candidate requested permission to leave the examination hall, citing health reasons. Adopting a humanitarian approach, the centre administrator, as per regulations, safely deposited the candidate’s question paper and OMR answer sheet at the examination centre and granted him permission to leave. After some time, the candidate re-entered the examination hall and requested to take the exam. Since the examination rules do not provide for re-entry once a candidate has left the examination hall, he was not granted permission.
According to sources, when he was denied re-entry, the candidate protested outside the examination centre and, along with some others, attempted to create a ruckus. The situation was handled with utmost restraint and administrative efficiency by examination officials and supervisors. The local police assisted as needed, after which the situation returned to normal, and the remaining examination proceedings were completed on schedule without any disruption. The University clarified that the entire examination was conducted peacefully and successfully at all centres. The University has preserved the OMR sheets received from various examination centres under 24×7 CCTV surveillance. The University has also released the final answer key for the PhD entrance examination. Candidates with any objections to the final answer key may submit their objections, along with relevant evidence, to the designated email address 15 July.
Dr Pritam Singh Negi, coordinator of the PhD entrance examination, stated that some social media platforms and news media have presented the incident in a manner inconsistent with the facts. However, according to available records and reports from the university-appointed supervisors, the entire examination process was conducted in accordance with the university’s established regulations, and the fairness, confidentiality, and transparency of the examination were not compromised at any level. He stated that in response to information received through social media and news media, the Vice Chancellor has constituted an inquiry committee at the university level, and the notification for the same has been issued by the Registrar. The committee will submit its investigation report to the Vice Chancellor in the next one-two days, on the basis of which necessary decisions will be taken.
