COEMPT Shield Cracks as Former NU Exam Operator Testifies Data Transfer Was in 'Machine Readable' Format A significant development emerged during the ongoing inquiry into examination irregularities at Nagpur University (NU), where the controversial exam service provider, COEMPT EduTeck Pvt Ltd, faced scrutiny over its alleged role in the 2025 winter and summer examination disruptions. During a hearing before a three-member probe panel led by NU senate member Manmohan Bajpai, representatives of the former examination handler, Promarc Technologies Pvt Ltd, testified that student data for 3.17 lakh students was transferred to COEMPT through the university’s IT cell. This claim directly contradicts the NU administration’s earlier assertion that Promarc failed to provide data in the required format, leading to glitches in the exams. Promarc officials stated that data transfer occurred via multiple methods, including CDs, hard copies, soft copies, and email communications, all formatted in universal Excel sheets. They emphasized that the data was provided in a "machine readable format," which they argued should have been sufficient for COEMPT to process. Promarc’s representatives also challenged the university’s claim that the data transfer was incomplete, asserting that the IT cell’s responsibility was to verify the data before forwarding it to the new firm. The IT cell, however, maintained that it did not check the datasets, leaving the responsibility of data integrity with Promarc. The NU vice-chancellor, Manali Kshirsagar, acknowledged the claims but noted that the statements made before the inquiry panel require technical verification by the university’s IT cell and experts.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #manmohan_bajpai #coempt_eduteck_pvt_ltd #promarc_technologies_pvt_ltd

Nagpur University Announces Common UG Admission Schedule Today Nagpur: Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) will announce the common admission schedule for first-year undergraduate courses on Wednesday, providing clarity for students and parents. The delay in releasing the schedule had caused confusion, particularly amid recent changes under the National Education Policy (NEP). With Class 12 results from both the state board (HSC) and CBSE already declared, many students awaited clear timelines for registration, merit lists, document verification, and the start of classes before finalizing college preferences. Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar confirmed that the circular detailing the admission schedule has been finalized and will be issued on Wednesday. The university officials stated that the admission process will follow a centralized schedule, similar to previous years, to ensure uniformity and streamline admissions across affiliated colleges. The delay in the schedule had disrupted admission planning for students applying to multiple institutions and professional courses. Uncertainty over timelines affected their ability to make informed decisions about college preferences. Kshirsagar emphasized that the centralized approach aims to address inconsistencies and provide a structured process for all affiliated colleges. Separately, major student organizations met Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar on Tuesday to raise concerns about academic and administrative issues at Nagpur University. Representatives from NSUI, the Nationalist Students’ Congress (Sharad Pawar faction), Yuva Graduate Forum, and the Nagpur University Students’ Organisation participated in the discussion.#manali_kshirsagar #national_education_policy #nsui #rashtrasant_tukadoji_maharaj_nagpur_university #nationalist_students_congress

Nagpur University Revises NEP Course Structure Within a Year of Implementation Nagpur University has revised the course structure introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) for the 2024–25 academic session. Vice-chancellor Manali Kshirsagar confirmed that a circular detailing the changes will be issued on Wednesday. Under the revised framework approved by the Academic Council, students will study three subjects in the first year (Semesters I and II), choose a major and minor in the second year (Semesters III and IV), and continue only with the major from the third year (Semester V onwards). The model is referred to as the "3-2-1 formula." Students will also have the option of pursuing a four-year bachelor's honours degree or a research-oriented degree, which would make them eligible for direct admission to PhD programmes without a master's degree. Under the earlier NEP structure implemented last year, students were required to choose their major subject in the first semester. University officials said many students struggled to make this decision immediately after Class XII, prompting the revision. Other changes include a 60:40 theory-practical evaluation ratio and the introduction of an Indian Knowledge System elective. Officials indicated that such revisions are expected to continue in phases over the coming years, as directed by the state government. They also noted that the earlier structure risked creating staff imbalances across departments. However, the sudden revision has drawn criticism from sections of the academic community. Faculty members argued that at least one batch should have been allowed to complete the existing pattern before introducing further changes.#academic_council #nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #national_education_policy #nepr_implementation

BJYM Activists Vandalize Nagpur University Building During Protest Over Exam Disputes A group of activists from the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, along with several students, allegedly vandalized the Jamnalal Bajaj Administrative Building of Nagpur University near Ambazari Bypass on Tuesday. The protest, which erupted over issues related to the Summer 2026 examinations and alleged discrepancies in the Winter 2025 results, left a trail of destruction. The nameplate outside the office of vice-chancellor Manali Kshirsagar was smashed, and 22 flower pots placed in the corridor outside her cabin were damaged. The incident occurred shortly after Kshirsagar arrived at the office, prompting personnel from the Ambazari police station to detain the protesters and take them to the police station. Later, senate member Vishnu Chandge and BJP general secretaries Shrikant Aglawe and Ritesh Gavande retrieved the protesters and brought them back to the university campus. Kshirsagar informed the delegation that issues related to the Winter examinations had been resolved, and the university was taking measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the Summer examinations. BJYM city president Sachin Karare expressed regret over the incident, stating that the vandalism began after one of the nearly 20 students accompanying the delegation lost his temper. "The student was seeking correction in his results for the past two years," Karare said. "When the VC arrived, she allegedly refused to entertain our pleas. This angered the students, and one of them became aggressive. The staff then locked the doors, which further provoked some of our workers," he added. Kshirsagar refuted the allegations, asserting that the protesters prevented her from entering her office.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #bjym #vishnu_chandge #shrikant_aglawe

Dharampeth Science College Principal Appointed as Nagpur University Pro-Vice Chancellor Nagpur University (NU) finally appointed Akhilesh Peshwe as its full-time pro-vice chancellor on Monday, ending a months-long delay. The post had remained vacant since September 2024, during which time pharmaceutical sciences professor Rajendra Kakde and physics professor Subhash Kondawar served as interim pro-vice chancellors under acting vice chancellors Prashant Bokare and Madhavi Chawre, who also held additional responsibilities. The appointment followed approval from the university’s management council, with Vice Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar overseeing the process after she assumed office in December 2025. Kshirsagar emphasized that the selection required a thorough evaluation of candidates’ academic merit and performance in their current roles. She noted that the process could have been expedited if the candidate had an engineering background, which she preferred, but the need for careful assessment delayed the decision. The university had to choose from over 35 candidates proposed by academic and political groups, reflecting the complexity of the selection process. Peshwe’s appointment has been viewed as a strategic move, given his extensive academic experience and familiarity with traditional university systems. This comes at a critical time for NU, which is facing challenges related to examination management and the conduct of summer exams. Peshwe, an English literature academic with over 30 years of teaching experience, has been principal of Dharampeth Science College since 2016. He stated his focus would be on implementing the vice chancellor’s vision and streamlining the examination system to address the university’s current issues.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #akhilesh_peshwe #dharampeth_science_college #rajendra_kakde

Nagpur University Faces Outcry Over Winter Exam Marksheet Errors Nagpur University has acknowledged receiving approximately 300 to 350 complaints regarding errors in marksheets issued during the Winter 2025 examinations. The issues, which include incorrect marks entries and result discrepancies, have drawn attention from both students and affiliated colleges, with nearly 100 institutions approaching the university to address the problems. Vice Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar and Deputy Registrar Motiram Tadas confirmed the complaints during a press conference, highlighting the growing concerns over the examination process. Tadas, who oversees the exam section, emphasized that the university is actively working to rectify the mistakes, though the process is still ongoing despite the start of summer examinations. The errors in marksheets have caused significant distress among students, with some facing failed grades or absent remarks in their results. Additionally, some students reported that subjects not part of their course were erroneously listed in their marksheets. For instance, BSc students found the subject "audit" listed in the subjects column, which is not part of their curriculum. These inaccuracies have raised fears among students about the possibility of needing to retake exams or whether they will be able to clear the Winter 2025 exams. The university has published 985 results as of Wednesday evening, with around 75% of these—approximately 744 results—announced after the 45-day deadline following the last paper. Out of the 1,261 winter exams conducted, 276 exams saw no student participation. While university officials claimed the number of complaints is relatively low compared to the total student population of 3.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #manmohan_bajpai #motiram_tadas #winter_2025_examinations

NU Hall Tickets: Heat, Confusion & Chaos Hundreds of students from affiliated colleges of Nagpur University faced significant challenges on Wednesday as they scrambled to obtain hall tickets for the BCom second and sixth-semester Summer 2026 examinations, which began on Thursday. The situation unfolded amid sweltering temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius, with students enduring long queues and repeated visits to their colleges to secure the necessary documents. Many expressed frustration over the absence of their hall tickets despite multiple reminders sent by the university in the past week. The crisis occurred against the backdrop of lingering issues from the Winter 2025 examination results, which were marred by errors in the distribution of marksheets. Nagpur University attributed these problems to previous administrative lapses, though Vice Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar faced criticism for insufficient time to address the Winter 2025 exam chaos. Kshirsagar had established a "war room" to manage the situation, but the summer exam rollout tested its effectiveness. College authorities struggled to manage the influx of anxious students demanding clarity and immediate solutions. Many claimed they had completed all formalities, including submitting examination forms and paying fees, yet their hall tickets remained unavailable. One college director described the scene as chaotic, noting that over 1,000 students gathered at their office, with parents also joining the crowd. The director stated that food and water were provided to students who had traveled from outstation, but tensions flared due to arguments between staff and parents. The hall tickets were eventually distributed until 7 p.m.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #winter_2025_exams #summer_2026_exams #nagpur_university_colleges

NU VC Tears Into Previous Exam Agency, Admin Over Winter Exam Blunders Nagpur University vice-chancellor Manali Kshirsagar launched a scathing critique of the previous examination agency and administration on Tuesday, accusing them of systemic failures that disrupted the Winter 2025 examinations. The VC highlighted a series of missteps, including delays, administrative chaos, and the last-minute hiring of a new agency, which exacerbated the situation. Kshirsagar emphasized that the previous agency’s failure to provide critical data to the new firm led to glitches in the exam process, forcing the university to rely on manual data processing to finalize results. The controversy began when Kshirsagar assumed her role in December 2024, only to discover that the examination timetable had not been finalized. This oversight caused the Winter 2025 exams to start nearly one-and-a-half months late, creating a cascading effect on schedules, evaluations, and result declarations. The VC revealed that repeated attempts to obtain missing data from the previous agency through emails, notices, and direct communication were met with resistance. An inquiry committee was formed, but the agency allegedly failed to cooperate, prompting the university to take matters into its own hands. Kshirsagar announced that legal notices had been issued to the former agency for failing to hand over soft copies of students’ data to the new firm. However, two initial notices were returned due to incorrect addresses, and a third address was recently identified for a fresh attempt. The university’s legal team is now preparing to serve the notice. Additionally, nearly Rs70 lakh in payments to the previous agency has been withheld pending the outcome of the inquiry.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #winter_2025_examinations #examination_agency #university_legal_team

NU Exams Should Not Clash With Entrance Tests: Senate Member Raises Concerns Nagpur: A Senate member of Nagpur University has raised concerns about the potential overlap between university examinations and major competitive entrance tests, urging immediate action to prevent disruptions to students' academic and career prospects. In a letter dated April 22, Senate member Manmohan Bajpayee addressed Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar, emphasizing the need for careful planning of examination timetables to avoid clashes with key entrance exams such as the UPSC, MPSC, and IIT-JEE. He warned that such overlaps could severely impact students' opportunities, particularly for those preparing for higher education admissions and competitive recruitment processes. The full summer examinations for major courses are scheduled to begin on May 6, but Bajpayee highlighted existing disruptions to the 2025-26 academic calendar. He noted that delays in winter exam results and the delayed commencement of summer exams have already caused uncertainty. While some results have been declared, many remain pending, and some are not fully error-free, further complicating students' preparations. Final-year students, he argued, are especially vulnerable, as timely results are critical for securing admission to postgraduate programs and competitive exams. Bajpayee called for a "war footing" approach, proposing the formation of a dedicated team comprising experienced principals, professors, senior clerks, and Senate members to ensure timely, error-free results and smooth exam conduct. He also suggested that students facing unavoidable clashes between exams and entrance tests should be allowed re-examinations upon submitting valid proof of conflict.#upsc #nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #mpsc #manmohan_bajpayee

NU’s Innovative Device to Protect Citizens from Wild Animal Attacks Researchers from Nagpur University have developed a groundbreaking device designed to safeguard people, particularly in rural areas, from leopard and other wild animal attacks. The project, led by senior physicist Sanjay Dhoble, head of the NU postgraduate physics department, and Amit Ramesh Bansod from Babasaheb Ambedkar College, features a wearable aluminium cage that functions as a protective shield. The mesh-like structure is engineered to fit over the head and extend across the body through two foldable sections at the back. It is equipped with eight speakers and a secure grip mechanism. In the event of an encounter with a leopard or tiger, the user can activate a hook mechanism that instantly deploys the cage around the body. Simultaneously, the speakers emit loud deterrent sounds—such as cries for help, drumbeats, and shouting—to scare the animal and alert nearby people. The researchers emphasized that the device is lightweight, easy to use, and can be charged at home, making it suitable for farmers, laborers, and residents in vulnerable regions. The innovation comes amid a surge in leopard sightings and attacks in areas like Vidarbha and Marathwada. Shrinking forest cover and summer water scarcity have driven wild animals closer to human settlements, increasing the risk of encounters. Despite ongoing efforts by authorities to capture and relocate leopards, attacks and casualties continue to be reported, underscoring the need for practical safety solutions. The device has received a design registration certificate from the Government of India’s Patent Office. Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar and other university officials have congratulated the researchers for their socially relevant innovation.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #sanjay_dhoble #amit_bansod #babasaheb_ambedkar_college

Total Clarity on Exam Timetable, Affirms NU VC Nagpur: Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar on Tuesday dismissed confusion over Nagpur University's examination schedule, asserting that there is "absolute clarity" on the conduct of supplementary and summer exams. She emphasized that timetables are being released in a phased manner, directly linked to the declaration of results. According to Kshirsagar, supplementary practical examinations will commence on April 15, while summer theory exams are scheduled for May 2, as per the revised academic calendar. The vice-chancellor clarified that the process is straightforward, with supplementary exams starting on April 15 and summer theory exams beginning on May 2. She explained that timetables are prepared and released logically alongside results, ensuring students receive adequate preparation time. "Students will get a preparation time of 15 to 20 days after their results," Kshirsagar stated. Kshirsagar also addressed the application process for exams, noting that students whose results have already been declared were allowed to fill exam forms from March 23. For those awaiting results, she confirmed that they will be given a week to apply once the results are officially announced. "We cannot declare incomplete results. Accuracy is very critical and crucial, especially when handling thousands of entries from hard-copy records," she emphasized. The VC highlighted the importance of maintaining precision in result declarations, particularly given the volume of entries involved. She reiterated that the phased release of timetables ensures transparency and minimizes confusion among students. This approach allows for a structured timeline, balancing the need for timely exam conduct with the necessity of accurate result verification.#nagpur_university #manali_kshirsagar #summer_exams #supplementary_exams #academic_calendar

NU Senate Approves University Tour Initiative for Students and Public Nagpur: The Nagpur University (NU) Senate has approved a proposal to launch a university tour initiative for school and college students, as well as the general public. The initiative aims to provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the university’s historic campuses, academic facilities, and cultural landmarks. The proposal was introduced by Senate member Dinesh Sheram during a recent meeting and was endorsed by the House. According to the proposal, the university houses several significant academic and cultural sites, including the Constitution Preamble Park, an international-standard synthetic athletic track, the old central library, an archaeological museum, and a gallery from the fine arts department. The campus also features a statue of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj and various academic departments. A Tribal Museum is planned for the future. Sheram suggested that these sites could be incorporated into a structured paid educational tour, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of the university’s academic, cultural, and historical significance. The idea of such tours was previously proposed by Abhay Mudgal, the former director of students’ welfare, who advocated for students to visit key locations within the campus to raise awareness about the university’s heritage. However, the initiative did not progress during his tenure. Supporting the proposal, NU vice-chancellor Manali Kshirsagar expressed willingness to implement the initiative. Senate members recommended organizing transportation arrangements for visitors, such as hiring buses.#nagpur_university #dinesh_sheram #manali_kshirsagar #constitution_preamble_park #tribal_museum
