It is a time of reforms in the education sector. Every year changes are happening not only in colleges but also at LP, UP and Higher Secondary levels. The relevant section of the Education Act has been amended to state that promotion can be done only after getting a pass mark. The all-pass system is now in force only in a few states ruled by non-BJP parties. The structure of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and the examination system are changing. Four-year degrees have become common nationwide. Courses and examinations are being conducted in all states to help students interested in research. Kerala, which is one of the states that is relatively behind in terms of reforms, has also seen a promising change in this field, albeit slowly. Those in charge of higher education have also realized that they need to modify the post-graduate courses and examination methods if they want to keep up pace with other states.

A part of such a change is the reform proposed by the University of Kerala for the evaluation of the answer sheets of the PG examination. This is a method where the teachers scan the answer sheets of the students and enter them into the computer for on-screen evaluation. This single change has many benefits. The biggest advantage is that the exam results can be published within days. There will be many benefits when the practice of wrapping up answer sheets and evaluating them after taking them to teachers' homes or camps ends. The trouble caused to the students and the university due to the loss of the answer sheet along the way is no small matter. Answer sheets that are not returned to the university often cause huge controversies. Students who have done well in exams are the ones who are most worried in such situations.

PG exams have double evaluation. When the evaluation is computerized it is possible for two teachers to do it simultaneously. If the difference in marks is more than 20 points, the evaluation may be assigned to a third person. At present, the second evaluation is possible only after the answer sheets are returned to the university. If the paper test is done on a computer then none of this will be necessary. Valuable time can be saved. Also, months of waiting for exam results can be avoided.

The University of Kerala had conducted the recent MCA examination evaluation through computer. The decision was taken to make the evaluation of PG exams completely computerized, after realizing that the MCA examination evaluation was a success. It is also an advantage that students can see the evaluated answer sheets in person. Another benefit of this reform is that the cost of delivering the answer sheets to the teachers can be avoided. After the PG exams, the university is planning to introduce computer-based reform for the evaluation of graduation exams as well. This is not a big deal as amazing changes are happening in the digital space every day. What is needed is the determination to implement change.