Raipur: Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGAU) here on Thursday cancelled a second-year BSc Agriculture entomology examination following allegations that a document circulating on WhatsApp closely matched the questions set for the test, university officials said.
Examination halted after matching document appears on WhatsApp
About 500 students had appeared for the AENT 221 (Pest Management in crops and stored grains – I (Rabi Crops)) paper for the second semester of the second year when concerns emerged. The university said an office-borne document that was shared on WhatsApp was not the official paper but that nearly 70 per cent of its content corresponded with the question paper used in the exam.
“Someone had created the document but nearly 70% of its content matched with the examination paper,” said Dr Kapil Dev Deepak, registrar of the university, according to the Indian Express.
The paper was opened at examination centres around 9.30 am and the test began at 10 am, the registrar told the Indian Express. The university announced the cancellation in the evening and said it had referred the matter to the police to ascertain whether the leak, if any, was internal.
Official statement and rescheduling
In an official notification issued on Thursday evening, the office of the Director of Instructions/Controller of Examinations informed students of BSc (Ag.) II Year, II Semester, Academic Session 2025-26 that the AENT 221 examination held on 20.08.2026 had been cancelled “due to administrative reasons.” The statement added that the paper would be rescheduled in the first week of September.
Student protests and campus response
The incident drew immediate student activism. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, staged a protest after the WhatsApp document surfaced. Later, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also held a demonstration and lodged a formal complaint with the university, demanding cancellation of the exam and a comprehensive investigation.
- Exam: AENT 221 – Pest Management in crops and stored grains – I (Rabi Crops)
- Date held: 20 August 2026
- Students present: Approximately 500
- Action taken: Examination cancelled; police probe ordered; rescheduled for first week of September
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| University | Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur |
| Course & year | BSc Agriculture, II Year, II Semester |
| Paper code | AENT 221 |
| Reported match with circulated document | ~70% |
What students and parents should expect
The university has not published an exact new date beyond the week indicated for September; students should await formal notification from the Controller of Examinations for hall ticket and centre details. Those affected may need to keep original admit cards and identity proofs ready for the re-examination. The administration also indicated it will cooperate with the police inquiry to determine whether the suspected leak originated from inside or outside the institution.
University examinations across states have periodically faced leak allegations, prompting student unrest and administrative action. In this instance, both campus political wings sought cancellation and an investigation, putting pressure on the university to take visible remedial steps and reassure students about fairness.
Next steps in the probe
The registrar said the matter would be investigated by police to establish how the circulated document came into public circulation and whether any university processes were compromised. The university has designated the issue as an administrative incident and will publish further updates after the inquiry progresses, the official statement said.
Students and other stakeholders should monitor the university website and official channels for the revised examination schedule and guidance on the re-test. Any further statements from the police or the university will provide details on the nature and scope of the probe.
