DU shocker: Students claim Buddhist Studies MPhil test questions repeated in PhD entrance

The MPhil entrance test was held on July 5 between 8am to 10 am and the PhD entrance test was held the same day between 4pm to 6pm.

Nearly 70% of the questions asked in Delhi University’s Department of Buddhist Studies MPhil entrance exam were allegedly repeated in the PhD entrance exam, which was held hours after the first exam the same day.

The MPhil entrance test was held on July 5 between 8am to 10 am and the PhD entrance test was held the same day between 4pm to 6pm. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO)

A group of students, who appeared for the PhD entrance, gave a written complaint to the university on Friday alleging that they have learned that around 36 of the 50 questions asked in the PhD paper were same as the MPhil paper.

The MPhil entrance test was held on July 5 between 8am to 10 am and the PhD entrance test was held the same day between 4pm to 6pm.

The students said it was a matter of concern as many students apply for both the courses and those who appeared for the MPhil test had time to discuss the answers before they appeared for the PhD test.

“It was shocking to learn that questions asked in the MPhil test and the PhD entrance were the same. Students who had applied for both the tests benefitted,” the letter submitted to the university said.

However, the head of the department KTS Sarao rejected the allegations and said there was a possibility of three or four questions being same in both the paper as the syllabus is similar.

“It is not possible that so many questions will be same. Many departments hold same test for admission to both MPhil and PhD but we conduct separate exams. The syllabus is similar so there is a possibility that 3-4 questions are same but not as many as some students are alleging,” he said.

Officials from the examination department said they have nothing to do with setting the paper.

“We get sealed papers and no one knows which questions will be asked in the paper. It is an academic matter. But if a complaint is forwarded to us, we will look into the issue,” said an official from the exam department.