Students of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) may soon get their examination results without having to go through the existing revaluation process, with the university planning to resolve discrepancies in answer-sheet valuation before declaration of results. Vice-Chancellor Dr Manali Kshirsagar told the Senate that the university was working on a new, time-bound valuation mechanism under which students would be given an opportunity to examine scanned copies of their answer sheets and raise objections before the results are declared. Dr Kshirsagar said RTMNU was considering doing away with the existing system of revaluation and instead addressing students’ complaints at the initial stage itself. “As per the plan, the scanned answer sheets will be sent to the students once the valuation of the examination is complete. Students will check the answer sheets and point out corrections, if any. Accordingly, experts will be called and they will sit with the students and make corrections, wherever required. After the corrections, the results will be declared.

 

It will be a time-bound procedure,” Dr Kshirsagar said. The proposed system is aimed at reducing the time taken in the examination-result process as well as preventing students from having to wait for months for revaluation results. According to Dr Kshirsagar, valuation-related complaints are particularly common in Law and Engineering examinations. Therefore, the new mechanism will initially be introduced in these two faculties. The university plans to implement the system gradually and in phases.

 

After assessing its functioning and success in the initial faculties, it would subsequently be extended to other faculties and departments. The Vice-Chancellor said the initiative was part of the university's broader effort to improve the quality and reliability of the valuation process. RTMNU is also planning to provide answer keys and specimen-answer guidelines to valuers. Dr Kshirsagar said the university was trying to improve the valuation system and providing answer keys would be an important step towards achieving greater consistency in assessment. The answer keys would contain specimen answers and guidelines to help teachers understand the expected approach while evaluating students' answers. The move is expected to provide greater uniformity in valuation, particularly in subjects where answers can be assessed differently by different examiners.

 

Students to get revaluation fee back: The university is also set to introduce a mechanism under which students could get their revaluation fee refunded if their marks increase following revaluation. Senate member Vishnu Changde raised the issue of accountability in cases where students' marks increase after revaluation. He pointed out that students have been facing such problems for around 15 years and argued that responsibility should be fixed when an evaluator makes an error that subsequently results in an increase in a student's marks. Changde said that if the mistake was committed by the valuer, accountability should be fixed and an appropriate penalty should be considered. Dr Kshirsagar assured the House that students concerned would get their money back in cases where their marks are increased after revaluation. Colleges warned over student exploitation: Meanwhile, Senate member Dr Ajay Chavan raised another issue concerning students at examination centres and colleges.

 

He alleged that students are being subjected to difficulties and exploitation at the college level in matters such as filling examination forms, registration and examination-related procedures. Responding to the issue, Dr Kshirsagar said the university issues notices and letters to colleges whenever such complaints come to its notice. However, she pointed out that the university faces a practical difficulty in taking stringent action, including blacklisting examination centres, because there are not enough good examination centres available. The university, therefore, has to balance action against erring colleges with the need to ensure adequate examination centres for conducting examinations smoothly.