Several library science students of Patna University have alleged that two teachers completed the viva and practical examinations of 367 candidates in six hours, resulting in gross anomaly in marks.

Patna University Central Library director S.R. Padamdeo refuted the students’ allegation and said the viva and practical examinations were conducted over two days — May 18 and 19.

For the 367 students — 124 regular and 243 distance education candidates — the results that were declared on June 1 came as a shocker. While 90 failed in the examination, 10 of them said they did not get any mark in one or two papers. Besides, some students alleged “average marking” in the viva and practical examinations. These students now want a re-evaluation of their papers.

The university administration has constituted a three-member committee to look into the alleged irregularities in the evaluation. The committee has been asked to submit the report within a week.

Patna University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh said: “The committee will probe into various aspects from the day the examination started (April 10) to the declaration of results (June 1).”

Rupesh Kumar Singh, an examinee who secured 52 per cent, said: “The result was not up to my expectation. In the viva and practical examination, there was average marking. The examiner had neither asked questions related to the syllabus nor from the project work that I had submitted.”

He further alleged that his viva and practical examinations were conducted in less than a minute and the examiner had only asked his name and the district he came from.

The viva and practical examination of bachelor in library and information science carries 100 marks — 40 on project work, 40 on library work and 20 on viva.

Sujit Kumar, a friend of Rupesh, said: “I secured 47 per cent and this was nowhere near my expectation. Most students were asked only one question — what was the full name of Hindi poet Nirala? — in the viva.” Nirala is the penname of Hindi author Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’, who not only wrote poetry but also prose.

Sujit said: “When I requested the examiner to ask questions from the syllabus or project work, he told me that I should only bother about marks.” Around 10 students alleged that they did not get any mark in some papers though they attempted over 60 per cent of the questions.

Padamdeo said: “The university’s examination department is responsible for the mess. For, the marksheet of a student does not have a single mark in one paper. In the tabulation sheet (that records marks of every student in all of the papers), the same student has been marked absent, while in the marks foil (that records the marks students get in a paper) the student has got 68.”