In this age of communication where information does not have to be a Chinese whisper into the right ears any longer and where everything is at one’s fingertips, misinformation still seems to be rampant. And that is the case with the confusion surrounding the PGET Dental/Medical exams conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) on January 29.

According to norms, candidates are allowed to challenge the key answers provided by the Bangalore University. This is done by filling out a proforma and paying `1,000 per question. Dr Keshav, who studied the procedure, raised a pertinent issue saying, “Each candidate can only challenge five key answers and if he is correct, he will be given half his money back.” He adds, “I’m not writing the PGET exams, but I am raising this issue only in public interest.”

The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences website corroborates Dr Keshav’s claim. A note beneath the proforma says, “The candidate may challenge a maximum of 05 notified keys/answers. The candidate willing to challenge the keys should remit a prescribed fee of Rs 1000 per question, preferably in person.” Eyebrows are now being raised over why the system is so restrictive. One would imagine that students should be encouraged to challenge the keys if they can as it will only motivate them to study harder.

“The candidates should actually be rewarded if they challenge the keys and are in the right,” feels Dr Keshav. The Vice-Chancellor of RGUHS, however is unsure regarding the confusion surrounding this procedure. “Students can challenge as many keys as they like and they will get the full amount refunded,” he says, in contradiction to what the website says. However, he did admit to being unsure of the details but said, “My main interest is to make sure that the information the students receive is absolute.”