Allegations of irregularities in connection with the entrance test question paper for Ph.D./M.Phil courses in Chemistry has caused a controversy in Kalyani University (KU). The test was held on 19 June inside the KU campus.

Professor Nilashis Nandi, a teacher of the chemistry department, has written to the vice chancellor (VC), professor Shankar Ghosh, registrar professor Debanshu Roy and controller of examinations professor Bimalendu Biswas of the university, demanding immediate cancellation of the test. “The structure of (the) question paper is not at all proportionate according to the weightage of subjects in Kalyani University M.Sc Chemistry syllabus or such syllabus of any other universities,” Prof Nandi alleged in his letter dated 20 June.

“This shall jeopardise a Ph. D student’s aspirations who is not inclined on spectroscopy or analytical chemistry. I request the examination be cancelled, if we do not (want to) bring our Ph. D entry system to bad repute,” the letter stated. In Prof. Nandi’s complaints, two major issues – heavily biased questions and no moderation meeting in the test system – have been highlighted, drawing the attention of the university authorities. “It’s an internal matter and I have expressed my opinion to the VC, pro-VC and others because I think it’s a serious issue considering the future of the students. I won’t make further comments on it,” Prof Nandi told The Statesman. “I have received a letter from Prof Nandi.

There is no question of cancelling the test because the questions were set following all parameters of our university’s chemistry post graduation syllabus. It’s not necessary to bring everything to one point in the entrance test for Ph.D or M. Phil in Chemistry. Students should have background knowledge even out of syllabus in the concerned subject,” Prof Ghosh said.

“This is a serious issue though I have not yet received any copy of the letter of Prof Nandi. I will wait for development in connection with what steps the VC takes about the complaint,” said Prof Brindaban Roy, chairman of the department research committee (DRC) of the university. Some senior teachers in the said alleged that the VC looks after the entire process of conducting examinations and including setting of question papers in different subjects in the KU. Most of the heads of departments and the controller of examinations in the university virtually do not have any role in conducting exams.