The Gujarat Ayurved University (GAU) in Jamnagar has launched an inquiry into allegations that the question paper for a third-year Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) examination was leaked before the test. Students have claimed that nearly the entire paper had already been circulated in WhatsApp groups ahead of the examination.
The allegations relate to the Shalya Tantra-I examination conducted on July 20. According to students, 11 of the 12 questions in the paper matched those that had been shared earlier on WhatsApp and flagged as "important" questions.
HP Jhala, the university's acting Director of Examinations, confirmed that a complaint was received on the evening of July 20 after the examination had concluded.
"We have received a complaint alleging that some of the questions asked in the examination had been circulated in messaging groups before the test. An inquiry will ascertain whether there was any breach of the examination process and whether the allegations are substantiated," Jhala said.
He said a committee would be constituted to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, the university has decided to continue with the ongoing examination schedule, adding that no complaints of irregularities have been reported in the examinations conducted since July 20.
University officials said disciplinary action would be taken in accordance with the rules if the inquiry finds that any official, staff member or any other individual was involved in compromising the examination process. Examinations for students from nearly 20 to 25 affiliated Ayurvedic colleges are continuing as scheduled.
The controversy also drew a political response, with Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh raising the issue on social media. He alleged that Gujarat had witnessed 34 examination paper leaks between 2014 and 2024 and argued that the latest allegations reflected a broader pattern of systemic failures.
In his post, Ramesh listed several recruitment examination leaks over the past decade, including those involving the Gujarat Public Service Commission, Talati recruitment, teacher eligibility tests, Lok Rakshak Dal, non-secretariat clerk, head clerk, Forest Guard and junior clerk examinations. He also claimed that the 2024 Uttar Pradesh Police recruitment paper leak had links to Ahmedabad.
Calling Gujarat the "epicentre" of examination paper leaks, Ramesh said fast-track courts alone would not address the underlying problems and urged wider reforms in the country's examination and education systems.
The university, however, clarified that it has not concluded that a paper leak took place. Officials said the inquiry would determine whether any irregularity or security breach had actually occurred before any conclusions are drawn.
The allegations come at a time when examination integrity is under intense national scrutiny following protests over paper leaks in several competitive examinations, particularly NEET-UG. The issue has dominated the national debate in recent weeks, culminating in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after sustained protests demanding accountability.
Gujarat had introduced the Gujarat Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2023 in response to repeated instances of paper leaks in recruitment examinations. The legislation prescribes stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for those found guilty of organised examination fraud and other unfair practices.