RGUHS evaluation: Medicos cry foul over mark disparity

RGUHS evaluation: Medicos cry foul over mark disparity 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.12.2024

Bengaluru : MBBS students of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) from batches admitted in 2018 and before have raised questions about the credibility of evaluation of answer scripts. As per the rules, evaluation is done by four experts, and the average of their marks is considered as the final score. Students allege that these four marks are often so varied that they lack credibility. When there is a disparity of more than 15%, the answer script goes to a fifth evaluator, and the average of the four best scores is taken. "Some of the marks will be as high as 70, while another could be as low as 10. How can the same paper have so much inconsistency when evaluated?" a student asked. 

A group of students approached the registrar on Monday, raising the issue. The process has been challenged in the Karnataka high court by various batches of students. For those from batches admitted in 2019 onwards, the system is different, with the best of two evaluations being considered. For the batches prior to 2019, the system has shuttled between considering the average of four, the best of two, and again the average of four, depending on court orders. “We're okay with the average of four or best of two. But our concern is that the university isn't addressing the basic issue where invigilators are giving extremely varied marks for the same paper. While a difference of a few marks is understandable, how can the marks vary so much for the same answer?” asked one student. 

“I attempted the same paper for the fourth time and failed by 1-2 marks. I lost out on six months studying the same paper at home. And every time we have to reappear, we end up paying as much as Rs 2 lakh in private seats for repeat exam fees,” said another student. RGUHS vice-chancellor MK Ramesh said there are around 3.5 lakh students, with about 12 lakh answer scripts for 38,000 evaluators. “It is only natural that a few students might have an issue. We're also engaging with the evaluators, giving instructions, directions, advice, and counseling. Just because one person got varied marks, we cannot denigrate the credentials of the complete system,” he said. "Every time we try to provide a solution, some will still go to court."