The Kerala University found itself mired in controversy after identical questions were found repeated in different sections of the MA History fourth-semester examination paper on ‘History of Freedom Movement in India’. The issue came to light after a section of students pointed out that three questions appearing in Part A of the question paper were repeated in Part B. The duplication effectively reduced the number of unique questions available to students.

University authorities initially defended the question paper by claiming that students had sufficient choices in both sections and therefore were not disadvantaged. According to the explanation, candidates were required to answer only a specified number of questions from each part, thereby making the repetition inconsequential. While they had to answer three out of five questions in Part A, only five out of the eight questions in Part B had to be attempted, they claimed.

Lapse in preparation

However, the explanation drew criticism from various sections, who maintained that the duplication reflected a lapse in the question paper preparation process. The Department of History on Friday submitted an explanation to Kerala University Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal, in which it reiterated that the additional choices meant students did not face any difficulty during the examination. The department also reportedly claimed that no student has submitted any complaint regarding the examination.

However, the Vice-Chancellor, treating the matter as a serious lapse, has directed the university’s Syndicate Standing Committee on Examinations to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report at the earliest.

Published - July 24, 2026 09:16 pm IST