A three-member committee set up by the Odisha government began its probe on Wednesday into the alleged leak and circulation of medical postgraduate (PG) examination question papers in the state, according to officials.
The committee members, comprising officers of the Health and Family Welfare Department including Additional Secretary Bijay Kumar Dash, Special Secretary (Medical Services) Bijay Kumar Mishra and Joint Director of Medical Education and Training Anil Kumar Sahu, inspected MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, the alleged source of the paper leak during exam hours.
They held discussions regarding the reported malpractice with senior professor, including Dean-cum-Principal Hari Krishna Dalai and Superintendent Sudeepa Dash, officials said.
The committee sought to track the source of the circulated paper by questioning faculty members and reviewing available CCTV footage.
Formed on July 31, the committee has been instructed to submitted its findings to the state government within a two-week time period.
The investigating officers refrained from sharing details regarding their deliberations with the medical college administration.
“The inquiry is on, and we can’t say anything at this stage. We will submit our report to the government within the stipulated time,” a committee member said on condition of anonymity.
Conducted by the Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS), the theory examinations for the 2023–26 postgraduate batch started on July 21 and concluded on Wednesday.
A total of 154 candidates sat for the examinations at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital center, according to official data.
However, the question paper for the second exam, held on July 27, allegedly leaked onto social media platforms shortly after the test began, with reports tracing the source back to MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
In response, the medical college authorities constituted a separate five-member internal inquiry committee led by its superintendent.
That internal panel has already concluded its initial inquiry after recording statements from students and staff, sources noted.
