BA Sociology Answer Sheets Vanish from Delhi University
Shock waves went through Delhi University's Janki Devi Memorial College, after the examination department of the university misplaced 20 answer scripts, belonging to the students of BA (hons) Sociology. The 20 students, who had 
taken up the second year exams, were informed by DU that the answer scripts of the paper, ‘Sociology of Contemporary India,' had been misplaced and in order to be marked, students were required to re-take the exam.
The shocking revelation about DU misplaced answer sheets has angered students and they have accused the university authorities of lack of transparency.
However, August 19 has been fixed as the new date for the students, to reappear for the examination. Students, who are the ultimate sufferers of DU misplaced answer sheets, have been protesting against the university's laid back attitude in the matter.
Janki Devi Memorial college claims that the packet containing the answer papers were sent through correct channel, DU however, has passed this incident off as an "honest mistake".
According to RC Sharma, Dean of exams Delhi University they received 17 lakh copies and out of that 20 have been misplaced. Mr. Sharma said that it was an honest mistake and the authorities were well aware of it. ‘But these students have asked us to uniformly give them 75% marks. This is not charity. How can we just assign random marks? We could adjust their aggregate marks, but it has been decided that these students will have to take the exam again in order to be marked. We are trying to locate the papers but they should be prepared to take up the exam again,' said the Dean.
The college too, has decided to abide by the decision laid down by DU. However, arrangements have also been made to ensure that the students don not face any inconvenience this time.
On the other hand, Indu Anand, principal of Janki Devi Memorial College said, the university was lenient in setting and marking the paper. The girls have been protesting continuously and it is with great difficulty that the college has finally convinced them to take the exam on August 19. So starting from 5th August till the day of the exam the college has given students a study period and the classes and attendance missed by them to be compensated.
Source: Prachi Srivastava (Shiksha Team)
Date: 6th August, 2011
