Allegations of irregularities and corruption in the PhD entrance examination at Madurai Kamaraj University have sparked outrage among students and faculty, who are demanding an independent inquiry by a committee of professors from other universities.
Complaints have emerged of money being extorted from students, ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000, allegedly in exchange for high marks in the entrance examination conducted on 22 September 2024. A total of 1,094 students appeared for the exam, requiring a minimum of 30% to pass. However, only 18% cleared the test, leading to claims that the questions were overly difficult and that certain candidates received an undue advantage.
Reports also highlight long-standing grievances, including alleged sexual harassment by some faculty members in the Ph.D. research section and financial irregularities related to research reports. These complaints have previously been submitted to university authorities, including the Registrar and the Convenor’s Committee, but without substantial action.
In November, professors and research students escalated their complaints to Government Secretary Rita Haris Thakkar, prompting the Higher Education Department to intervene. On 10 December 2024, the department recommended that the university form a committee of senior and impartial professors to investigate the allegations thoroughly.
எப்பவோ சடமலாகி கெட்டுப்போன உயர்கல்வி நாத்தம் இப்ப தான் ரொம்ப வெளிய தெரியுது.
ஒரு இருபது-இருபத்தஞ்சு வருச நிர்வாக சீர்கேடு….
இப்போ PhD பண்றவங்கள்ல எத்தன பேர் #NET/#GATE முடிச்சிருக்கான்னு லிஸ்ட் எடுத்தாலே நாறிடும். பாதிபேர் வீட்ல சும்மா இருக்குறதுக்கு பதிலா PhD ரிஜிஸ்டர்… pic.twitter.com/tDfW0AO5tt
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) December 29, 2024
Despite this directive, the university formed a five-member internal committee on 28 December 2024, led by Professor Ganesan from the Biotechnology Department, along with Associate Professor Sivakumar, Assistant Professors Vara Lakshmi, Siva, and Rosita. This move has been criticized for excluding senior professors and syndicate members, raising concerns about potential bias and interference by university officials.
Students and professors have expressed dissatisfaction with the composition of the inquiry committee, stating that including junior faculty members undermines the credibility of the investigation. They insist on appointing senior professors from other universities to ensure impartiality and transparency. Protesting students warned that without an independent committee, the investigation could end up being a superficial exercise.
They further demanded that the Ph.D. admission process proceed without delay, as the entrance exam results have already been published.
The controversy surrounding the Ph.D. entrance examination has further deepened with claims of systemic issues in the university’s research section. Protesters warn that without genuine reform, trust in the institution will erode further.
University authorities have yet to respond to the growing demands for an independent investigation.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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