PU LLM test logjam: Paper setter did not have syllabus | Chandigarh News

Chandigarh: Fresh details have emerged in the Panjab University (PU) LLM entrance examination controversy, with the prescribed syllabus allegedly not being shared with the paper setter by the CET Cell or the examination coordinator before the question paper was prepared.The coordinator, it has emerged, was a faculty member from the Physics department. The developments have shifted attention from the contents of the paper to the university’s paper-setting mechanism.The revelations surfaced during the university’s examination of the controversy. Inquiries conducted by the university revealed that neither the prescribed syllabus nor written paper-setting guidelines had allegedly been supplied before the paper was prepared.Instead, the question paper was allegedly framed on the basis of verbal instructions from the examination coordinator, a Physics department faculty, to prepare questions from subjects taught in the LLB course.The communication adds that while a sample paper, including other things, was supplied for paper setting, there was no syllabus or written academic guidelines accompanying it.A senior university official told TOI that there had been a “communication gap“ between the examination coordinator and paper setter. The official also confirmed that the coordinator did not belong to the department of laws or UILS, adding that coordinators from departments other than the one concerned are sometimes appointed to maintain confidentiality and strengthen security of the examination process.However, the official admitted that the communication mechanism appears to have failed in this instance. “The committee constituted to examine the issue is looking into the sequence of events. It will identify where the lapse occurred and recommend appropriate action,” the official said.The controversy erupted after candidates alleged that a significant portion of the PU-CET (PG) LLM entrance paper contained questions from subjects outside the notified syllabus. After examining objections, the university accepted the lapse and decided to exclude 30 of the 100 questions from evaluation.With the latest developments, the focus of the inquiry has expanded beyond the erroneous questions to the process through which the paper was prepared. The committee is expected to examine whether the prescribed syllabus and paper-setting guidelines were communicated as per procedure, whether there was a breakdown in coordination between the coordinator and the paper setter, and whether procedural lapses within the confidential examination process contributed to the controversy.The delay is also expected to affect admissions. While Panjab University declared results of other PU-CET (PG) entrance examinations on Friday, the LLM result is yet to be announced.Officials indicated that candidates are likely to wait at least another week as the revised evaluation process is completed and the committee examines the circumstances that led to the lapse.LLM aspirants face longer waitWhile Panjab University declared results of other PU-CET (PG) entrance examinations on Friday, the LLM result remains on hold. University officials indicated that the result is likely to take at least another week as the revised evaluation, after dropping 30 questions, is completed and inquiry into the paper-setting lapse progresses.LLM admissions through PU-CET (PG)Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh (1-year LLM): 42 seatsUniversity Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University, Chandigarh (1-year self-financing): 50 seatsUniversity Institute of Laws, PU Regional Centre, Ludhiana (2-year LLM): 26 seatsPUSSGRC, Hoshiarpur (1-year self-financing): 20 seats