SPPU Relaxes Rule for Colleges to Enter Internal Marks

Savitribai Phule Pune University had decided a year ago to bring in some strict regulations to penalize colleges in cases where disputes have been raised for wrong internal marks being entered online. Over a year, the SPPU administration has announced that they will be relaxing the regulations against such mistakes that could be made by the colleges.

Senate members from the Savitribai Phule Pune University had appealed to reduce the sentences imposed on colleges that made the mistake of entering wrong marks. The statement stated that the students were being affected due to the decision taken by the varsity. Keeping these statements in mind, SPPU has made the necessary changes to the rule.

As per the revised rule, colleges that commit the mistake for the second time will face harsh punishments. Last year, the SPPU had brought in the decision due to a mistake made by Sinhgad College, where 55 students from the Masters in Computer Science programme failed due to incorrect internal marks being entered.

According to the previous rule, SPPU had decided that any college that makes a mistake in entering the marks of a student will be liable for no funding from SPPU for a period of two years along with losing the right to winning awards and participating in different competitions. Further, colleges will be denied the 10% additional seats that are offered by SPPU, which are usually availed by the colleges.

The revised rule states that colleges that enter incorrect marks online will be levied with a fine of ₹1,000 per student to change the internal marks of the student. However, SPPU has removed the rule that restricts the college from winning awards or participating in competitions if they make the mistake for the first time.

A letter had been issued by the Chief Examination Officer at SPPU, Dr Arvind Shaligram, which stated that all harsh punishments such as no funding, no participation in competitions at the University-level, shortlisting of teachers for the setting of papers as well as Chairmanship of Board of Studies will be levied upon the college if the same mistake is made for the second time. Colleges erring for the first time will only be charged with a ₹1,000 per student fine.

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A senate member, Santosh Dhore stated that the members of the senate had written a letter wherein a request to reduce the punishments towards erring colleges since the decision was affecting the students. He stated that they had received complaints from students who raised discrepancies in the correction of internal marks. He added that the colleges refused to change the wrongly entered internal marks, fearing that they would have to face harsh punishments.

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As per the rules, the Principals of colleges are supposed to offer the varsity an undertaking, which would lead to the imposition of harsh punishments, Santosh Dhore stated. He also stated the even though the rules are not as strict as before, the same rules should be applicable to the varsity examination department, who are also likely to commit such mistakes.