Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Oct 3: The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) is bringing in three senior cyber security experts to help plug loopholes and recommend tougher safeguards for its 2027 examination following an alleged malpractice incident at examination centres in Jamshedpur during COMEDK-UGET 2026.
The experts will review the existing examination system and suggest measures aimed at making the test more secure and preventing malpractice.
“We are developing a new, more foolproof examination system and engaging three senior cyber security experts who will submit a few major recommendations to make zero malpractice,” said Dr S Kumar, Secretary, COMEDK.
COMEDK will also increase the number of question-paper sets for the 2027 examination from four to seven. The password required to access the question paper will be released only 20 minutes before the examination begins, instead of the current one-hour window.
Dr Kumar said an FIR had been registered in Jamshedpur over the alleged malpractice. “At least four invigilators turned approvers in the case and gave statements. But all of them have disappeared from the city as they faced death threats,” Kumar said.
He further alleged that the deputy mayor of Jamshedpur was involved in the case.
The alleged malpractice came to light during a post-examination audit after COMEDK noticed an unusual pattern in the 2026 results. For the first time, none of the top 10 rank-holders was from Karnataka, while five of the top six ranks went to candidates from Jamshedpur.
The findings triggered further scrutiny of the examination process and the circumstances surrounding the results.
A few days after the examination and declaration of results, COMEDK barred 36 candidates from participating in counselling over suspicions of malpractice. Notices were issued directing the candidates to appear before an inquiry committee in Bengaluru.
“The modus operandi left our technical partner in examination, TCS, in shock,” Kumar added.
The consortium’s latest measures are aimed at tightening question-paper security and strengthening the examination system ahead of the 2027 test, following the alleged irregularities reported during this year’s examination.