The Odisha government on Friday constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations that images of a state medical postgraduate examination question paper were circulated on social media while the test was being conducted.
According to an official order, Health and Family Welfare Department Additional Secretary BK Dash will head the panel, which will probe the alleged malpractice during the postgraduate exam conducted by the Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS), Bhubaneswar.
Special Secretary BK Mishra and Medical Education & Training Joint Director AK Sahu have been appointed as members of the inquiry team.
“The committee will ascertain the facts, identify lapses, if any, and submit its report within two weeks,” the order said.
This state-level initiative follows the launching of an internal inquiry by a five-member panel from MKCG Medical College and Hospital into the alleged circulation of the PG exam paper photographs via social media during test hours, according to officials.
Photographs of a question paper for the All Odisha Medical PG Examination were reportedly shared on a social platform on July 27 during a theory paper for 2023-26 batch postgraduate students, officials stated.
“A five-member committee headed by the superintendent of the medical college was formed on Thursday evening. The panel has begun its investigation into the allegation. The committee will submit its report in 72 hours,” said MKCG Medical College and Hospital Dean-cum-Principal Harekrushna Dalai.
The internal committee will focus on determining whether the question paper originated from the MKCG Medical College examination centre and, if verified, identify how it occurred and who was involved, Dalai explained.
“It will submit its report along with necessary recommendations to prevent recurrence of such incidents,” he said.
Dalai added that the Odisha University of Health Sciences has already instructed all exam centres to further tighten security measures during the ongoing PG tests.
Bringing a mobile phone into the examination hall – whether turned on, switched off, or set to silent mode – will be treated as a deliberate attempt at unfair practices and serious misconduct, he stated.
Students found carrying mobile phones or electronic gadgets will be charged under UFM (A formal charge against a student for breaking exam rules), as per the OUHS guidelines.
The college administration has warned candidates that there will be zero tolerance regarding mobile devices and electronic accessories in test centres.
“Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, health bands, earphones, programmable calculators, and physical notes are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall premises,” said Dalai in a notice issued in the wake of the alleged malpractice in the exam.
The action will include “instant confiscation of the device, cancellation of the paper/entire exam, referral to the university disciplinary committee and possible debarment from future university exams”, the notice warned.
He additionally directed students to attend exams in formal attire, clarifying that aprons, coats, scarves, and blazers are barred from the test hall.
To ensure smooth management of remaining papers, college authorities have deployed three dedicated teams backed by additional staff, with security personnel conducting strict screenings at entrance gates, he added.
Earlier, the dean pointed out that the alleged distribution of the PG exam paper could not strictly be classified as a “leak” since the photos surfaced while the test was already in progress.
Official sources indicated that photographs of the second General Surgery paper for the MS/MD 2023-26 batch were allegedly shared across WhatsApp groups formed by postgraduate students.
There were also allegations that answer keys were circulated from specific contact numbers while candidates were taking the test, officials said.
The incident was brought to light after a student at a private medical college in Bhubaneswar, who reportedly received the images, raised the alarm about the issue.
The student reported receiving the question paper photos through a WhatsApp group set up by an MKCG Medical College and Hospital student, according to officials.
The theory examinations for the 2023-26 medical PG batch commenced on July 21, with two additional papers scheduled for August 1 and August 5.
A total of 154 candidates are sitting for the examination at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital centre, officials said.
The opposition BJD targeted the state’s BJP administration over the reported irregularities, asserting that recurring question paper incidents highlight the current government’s “failure” to maintain oversight of administrative systems.
BJD leader and former minister Arun Kumar Sahoo alleged that 23 question paper leaks have occurred over the 24 months of BJP governance in Odisha, which he claimed demonstrates a complete administrative failure.
BJD vice-president Pratap Jena remarked, “When the NEET question paper leak has shaken the entire country, and the public is yet to recover from that incident, the alleged leak of the medical PG examination question paper in Odisha has deeply disturbed the people of the state.”
He demanded that the administration provide a clear public account, execute a thorough investigation, and implement strict penalties against those responsible.
Similarly, Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das demanded the immediate resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling over the matter.
