Mumbai University Blunder: Old Syllabus Paper Distributed in LLB ATKT Exam, Replaced After 30-Minute Delay

Mumbai: In yet another embarrassing incident, the University of Mumbai (MU) on Tuesday distributed a question paper based on the old syllabus for the fifth-semester LLB ATKT (Allowed To Keep Terms) examination. This blunder caused confusion and stress among students, who were given the correct paper only after a delay of nearly 30 minutes.

The ATKT system allows students to progress to the next academic year despite failing one or more subjects, as long as they clear the failed subjects within a specified time frame.

A final-year LLB student, who sat for the Labour Law & Industrial Relations - II exam, expressed his frustration: "Receiving a question paper based on a syllabus that was discontinued over three years ago was devastating. It completely threw us off track. Even after the new paper arrived, our confidence was already shaken. We couldn’t focus as we had mentally prepared for the correct syllabus."

While Yuva Sena leaders claimed that as many as 60 colleges received the incorrect question paper, the university issued a clarification stating that only 30 colleges were affected, with approximately 2,000 students taking the exam under the wrong set of questions.

In its official statement, the university explained: "The question paper was sent from the handwritten manuscripts section at 9:30 AM. However, shortly afterward, the college informed us that the paper was based on the old syllabus. Upon verification, it was found that the question paper had indeed been submitted by the setter according to the old syllabus. The link to the concerned paper was immediately closed, and a new paper was sent. Students were given an additional 30 minutes, and all colleges were informed about the change."

The incident has once again brought attention to the university's ongoing issues with mismanagement in its examination system. Yuva Sena, which has consistently criticized the university's examination department and the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), has reiterated its demand for accountability.

“For the past year and a half, we have been asking for a joint meeting to address the repeated mismanagement in the university’s examination department. But the administration continues to ignore our concerns. Even today, during the third-year law exam, the fifth-semester students were handed a question paper from the old syllabus. It took half an hour to correct this once students raised the issue. This is yet another instance in the series of blunders,” said a Yuva Sena representative.

Yuva Sena leaders have also questioned whether the Controller of Examinations and the Director of the exam department will take moral responsibility for the mishap and step down.

This incident comes just a month after the university's infamous blunder in printing and distributing degree certificates with “University of Mumabai” written over the emblem for the 2023-24 graduating batch.

The university has yet to make any further statements regarding the accountability of those involved in the latest mishap, leaving students and faculty concerned about the future of academic administration at Mumbai University.