LUCKNOW, Nov. 2 -- In an embarrassment for the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), the Stage-II recruitment examination scheduled for Sunday was cancelled, affecting around 8,500 candidates. SGPGIMS officials claimed that the exam was cancelled after internet connectivity problems disrupted biometric verification at three of seven centres in Lucknow.

The disruption raised questions about the institute's preparedness, examination management and accountability, with candidates drawing parallels with the NEET controversy.

The institute has roped in the Special Task Force (STF) to investigate the incident, promised to conduct a re-examination within a month and warned that those found guilty would not be spar...