COMEDK turns to cybersecurity experts to prevent examination malpractice

The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) has decided to implement more stringent measures in future entrance tests to curb malpractices in the COMEDK-UGET exams.

COMEDK has decided to hire three cybersecurity experts to recommend technical measures that can be adopted for the next examinations to prevent any kind of malpractice.

The decision follows instances of malpractice at a few examination centres in Jamshedpur during COMEDK-UGET-2026.

At a press conference here on Thursday, S. Kumar, Secretary of COMEDK, said: “We are developing a new, more foolproof system and engaging three senior cybersecurity experts who will submit recommendations to curb malpractices. From the 2027 exams, seven sets of question papers will be uploaded as against the four sets and the password to access the question paper by the respective centres will be provided only 20 minutes before the exams.” Earlier, the passwords were shared an hour before the test, he added.

Providing updates about the malpractice case during the 2026 exams, Dr. Kumar said an FIR has been registered at Jamshedpur. “At least four invigilators turned approvers in the case and gave statements. But all of them have disappeared from the city as they faced death threats,” he added.

He further said that the process to file an FIR was delayed because all three centres were locked when COMEDK sent a team to visit and investigate. “Then we approached the police for their assistance. We will not leave this matter. The modus operandi was so shocking that even our technical partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was shocked. Whoever was involved, we will ensure they will face action as per the law,” he stated.

COMEDK has decided to provide emotional and psychological support for students studying professional courses and tied up with ‘Sneha Society for Counselling’, which offers offline and online counselling.

“We will even send dedicated counsellors to the institutions if they approach us,” S. Kumar, Secretary of COMEDK, said.

He said even in colleges with in-house counselling facilities, many students hesitate due to familiarity. With the help of Sneha Society, COMEDK will provide online counselling free of cost, he added.