India, July 28 -- Calcutta University has decided not to retain mobile phones confiscated from candidates caught carrying them into examination halls, citing privacy concerns. However, disciplinary action for violating examination rules, including confiscation of answer scripts, will continue unchanged. The decision was taken at a recent Syndicate meeting and has been incorporated into revised examination guidelines. Under the new procedure, if a candidate is found with a mobile phone during an examination, invigilators will record the device's details, including its model and IMEI number, prepare a seizure list, obtain a written undertaking from the candidate and then return the phone.
The university said the candidate's answer script may still be confiscated and other penalties under the examination regulations will continue to apply. Carrying a mobile phone into the examination hall will remain a violation of the rules. Vice-Chancellor Ashutosh Ghosh said, "The university remains committed to maintaining the integrity of examinations, and there will be no relaxation in disciplinary measures. The only change is that mobile phones will no longer be kept in the custody of the authorities after the necessary formalities have been completed, keeping in mind an individual's right to privacy." University officials said the decision was prompted by concerns over the growing amount of sensitive personal information stored on smartphones, including DigiLocker documents, email accounts, banking applications, UPI services and other private data. They said retaining such devices for an extended period could raise concerns over privacy, making it necessary to return them.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.