Sambalpur, March 21: The examinations of the MBBS second-year course were cancelled today as the question papers could not reach one of the centres here in due time.

Authorities of the Sambalpur University rescheduled the MBBS second-year examinations for microbiology paper I and paper II, which were supposed to be held today and on March 25, respectively.

"While the examination for microbiology paper I will be held on April 13, the same for paper II will be held on April 17," said examination controller of the university Sisir Swain.

He said: "The microbiology paper I was scheduled to be held today. However, the question paper could not reach the examination centre at the Municipal College, where the students of Hi-Tech Medical College, Rourkela, were to take the test."

"The staff member, who had been assigned with the responsibility to bring the question papers to the centre, could not make it till Thursday because of illness. However, when I came to know about the delay in arrival of the question papers, I discussed with the vice-chancellor, and a decision was taken to reschedule the examination dates of the two papers. The question papers are with us now," said Swain.

Around 250 MBBS second-year students of Hi-Tech Medical College, Rourkela, and Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla, were supposed to take the examinations.

The tests for the MBBS second-year students are being held at two centres - the Municipal College and the Veer Surendra Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Burla.

The microbiology paper II was scheduled on March 25, the date which would, however, coincide with the beginning of three examinations of the university.

"As the varsity staff members and teachers will remain engaged in the Plus Three examinations, we decided to defer the date of microbiology paper II as well," said Swain.

The other papers of the MBBS second-year exams will, however, be held according to the declared schedule. "There will be no changes in the timetable of other subjects," Swain said.

The students have expressed dissatisfaction over the postponement.

"The students had made all the preparations for the exam. Due to the lackadaisical attitude of the university authorities, the exams were postponed," said a student of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research.