THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Lokayukta has ordered Kerala University to review the academic records of MBA students whose answer sheets were lost and assign average marks based on their performance in other subjects for those who could not take the special examination.

In response to a petition by Anjana Pradeep, the division bench directed that average marks be given for the third semester project finance paper. Kerala University, however, decided to appeal against this order. Out of the 71 students affected, 65 participated in the special examination held on Monday, and their results were announced. For those who missed it, another re-examination is scheduled for the 22nd. VC Dr. Mohanan Kunnummel has instructed the Examination Controller to challenge the Lokayukta’s directive in the High Court.

Anjana, who secured an education loan to pursue her MBA and is now employed, argued against taking another examination after her answer sheets went missing. The Lokayukta stated that conducting a special examination for Anjana was impractical and unfair, given the university’s failure to safeguard the answer sheets. It was deemed unreasonable to require her to reattempt the exam after such a delay, considering how academic knowledge can fade with time and the mental strain this might cause. The Lokayukta highlighted that the proposal to retake the exam would negatively impact her mental state. On the other hand, the university maintained that in exceptional cases of lost answer sheets, results should be based on re-examination, and assigning average marks is not permitted.

Kerala University claimed that conducting special examinations is lawful. They referred to a 2018 High Court Single Bench ruling to justify their stance. In that case, a student working in the Gulf challenged the decision to hold a special exam following the loss of answer sheets. The court directed the university to prioritize the student's schedule and convenience when conducting the examination.