Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: Amid ongoing public concern regarding national examination leaks, a question paper for the Odisha Medical Postgraduate Examination was allegedly circulated on WhatsApp while the test was actively taking place on July 27, authorities confirmed on Thursday.

Images depicting the General Surgery (Paper II) question paper for MS/MD students belonging to the 2023–26 batch were forwarded across WhatsApp groups operated by postgraduate medical students. Claims have also emerged that answer key solutions were being shared from specific mobile numbers while candidates were inside the examination halls.

How the breach was uncovered

The breach came to light after a candidate from a private medical institute in Bhubaneswar, who had received the question paper images, raised an alarm. The student revealed that the files originated from a WhatsApp group created by a peer at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.

Following the disclosure, Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS) Vice-Chancellor Manas Ranjan Sahoo convened an emergency virtual meeting with principals of all participating medical colleges on the evening of July 27 to review security measures for upcoming papers.

College authorities clarify situation

Responding to the incident, MKCG Medical College and Hospital Dean-cum-Principal Harekrushna Dalai clarified that the breach occurred from within the examination centre rather than prior to the test.

“It is not a question paper leak. Had the question paper come out before the exam and reached the students, we could have termed it a leak. But, in this case, the question paper came out from the exam hall,” Dalai said.

“Despite our routine checking and disallowing of mobile phone sets in the exam hall, we are surprised to find such instances. We wonder what type of electronic devices were used to share images of the question paper,” he added.

An internal inquiry has been initiated to determine the precise electronic devices used and trace how the images were transmitted outside the examination venue.

Theory examinations for the 2023–26 PG medical batch commenced on July 21, with additional tests scheduled for August 1 and August 5. A total of 154 candidates are sitting for the examinations at the MKCG Medical College centre.

PTI