My Agonising Tale of Unfair Evaluation in Kashmir University Exams

 
By Ummar Jamal

Preparing diligently for my upcom­ing semester exams, I found my­self engrossed in making compre­hensive notes. The ticking of the clock signaled 4 o’clock when my phone rudely interrupted my concentration. It was a call from a friend, urgently proclaiming, “The results have been re­leased, check them!”

Hastily ending the call, I scrambled to search for my results on the uni­versity website. As I entered my roll number, my heart sank at the sight of the displayed marks. The subject I had poured my heart and soul into, Consti­tutional Law, yielded the lowest marks; only 46. My expectations of achieving 75 marks or above out of 80 in Consti­tutional Law, my favorite subject, were shattered. Disappointment gripped my friends as well, as they too were taken aback by the unexpected results.

Determined to address this injustice, I resolved to request a re-evaluation of my question paper. In accordance with the university’s statutes, the results of re-evaluation were to be declared within three weeks of submitting the application. Alas, time proved to be a cruel adversary, as the three weeks turned six months, and my anxiety in­tensified. Throughout this arduous six-month period, I made regular visits to the Controller Examination office, in­cessantly reminding them of the pend­ing results. Gaining access to the office itself was a Herculean task, as students were typically barred from entering. Nevertheless, I persisted in my pursuit of justice.

Each time I managed to gain entry, the staff assured me that the results would be published within a week, but these deadlines consistently proved to be false promises. It was a dishearten­ing and frustrating experience, grap­pling with the incessant delays and wit­nessing the utter disregard for students’ concerns. The perpetual wait only com­pounded my anguish and further erod­ed my faith in the evaluation system.

Finally, after enduring six agoniz­ing months, the re-evaluation results were released. To my astonishment, there was no change in my marks. The disillusionment I felt was indescrib­able. Resolute in my quest for truth, I returned to the Controller Examination office, demanding an explanation. After much ado, I managed to obtain a copy of my re-evaluated question paper. As an­ticipated, the revised evaluation yielded a commendable 76 marks out of 80; 30 marks increment in the original. Results. Yet, to my dismay, the staff at the Con­troller Examination office had neglected to incorporate these revised marks into my overall results. It was a dishearten­ing realization that had I not taken the initiative to scrutinize my papers, my marks would forever remain unjustly low in Constitutional Law. This unfortu­nate episode serves as a stark reflection of the deplorable state of the evaluation system at Kashmir University.

Compounding the injustice is the exorbitant fee of 500 rupees charged for each paper re-evaluation. For in­dividuals from humble backgrounds, this amount is astronomical and often unaffordable. According to the univer­sity examination statutes, if there is a 15 percent increase in marks after re-evaluation, a refund of five hundred ru­pees should be provided. However, this provision is shamelessly disregarded. Students are forced to endure an ordeal, shuttling between various administra­tive offices in pursuit of a reimburse­ment that is rightfully theirs.

The plight faced by students in Kash­mir University is an embodiment of systemic failure. The evaluation pro­cess, designed to uphold fairness and accuracy, has instead become a source of frustration, disappointment, and financial strain for countless aspiring individuals. Urgent measures must be taken to address these issues and re­store faith in the evaluation system. Transparent protocols, timely declara­tion of results, and adherence to statu­tory provisions are imperative to rectify the current state of affairs.

As students, we deserve an evalu­ation system that reflects our efforts, knowledge, and potential accurately. The quest for knowledge should not be tainted by the specter of unjust results and administrative indifference. It is time for the authorities to acknowledge the inherent flaws and take swift action to reform the evaluation system, ensur­ing a just and equitable future for all students in Kashmir University.

The sorry state of the evaluation system in Kashmir University not only undermines the efforts and aspirations of students but also highlights the need for urgent reforms. It is imperative that the university administration addresses these grievances and ensures a trans­parent and efficient evaluation process, one that fosters fairness and equal op­portunities for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.

• The author is a law student at Kash­mir University and National Spokes­person of J&K students Association.  Email: [email protected]. Views expressed are the author’s

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