Patna: The Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) has suspended six MBBS students in connection with alleged irregularities in the 2025 MBBS Second Professional examination, including a reported question paper leak and answer sheet tampering.
The action follows the recommendation of the institute’s Student Disciplinary Committee after an internal investigation into the examination controversy.
Six Students Suspended
According to an office order issued by Principal Dr Ranjit Guha on August 3, the suspended students are:
- Abhijit Kumar, Ankit Chandra, and Yash Raj Sinha (2022 batch)
- Amit Kumar, Avinash Prakash, and Sumit Kumar (2023 batch)
The students have been barred from entering the college and hostel premises for four weeks.
The institute has also ruled that they will be ineligible for academic and honorary distinctions, including medals and other awards, even if they secure top positions in future examinations.
Inquiry Followed Internal Investigation
The disciplinary action is based on the findings of a committee comprising Deputy Director Dr Vibhuti Prasanna Sinha, Dean (Academic) Dr Om Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer Prafulla Ranjan, and Registrar Sarvesh Kumar.
According to the inquiry, the roles of three employees from the Examination Department and one employee each from the Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Microbiology departments were found to be suspicious.
Institute authorities said departmental proceedings have been recommended against one employee but declined to reveal the individual’s identity until formal action is completed.
Allegations Surfaced In March
The controversy dates back to March 11, when an anonymous email was reportedly sent to IGIMS, the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Bihar Health Department.
The complaint alleged that the question paper had been leaked and answer sheets had been swapped, and was accompanied by videos and other supporting material.
Following the complaint, a three-member inquiry committee headed by Dean (Examinations) Dr Prakash Dubey was constituted on April 12.
After finding prima facie evidence supporting the allegations, the committee recommended further action. Subsequently, Dr Dubey resigned as Dean (Examinations), and Prof. Neeru Goyal assumed the role. Three additional committees were later formed on May 5 to conduct a detailed investigation.
Inquiry Found Irregularities
The inquiry committee submitted its report on April 27, reportedly confirming irregularities in the examination process.
According to the findings, the signatures on the first and last pages of several answer sheets matched, while the signatures on the intermediate pages differed, raising concerns about possible tampering.
The examination in question was the MBBS Second Professional examination, conducted in December 2025, in which around 130 students appeared.
Questions Over Delay In Criminal Action
Despite the inquiry reportedly confirming examination irregularities, no FIR has been registered and no Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted.
Questions have also been raised over several aspects of the institute’s response.
While show-cause notices were issued to three Examination Department employees, departmental action has reportedly been initiated against only one.
Similarly, although seven students were served notices, only six have been suspended, with no official explanation regarding the seventh student.
The institute accelerated disciplinary proceedings after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Patna High Court and the National Medical Commission sought a report on the investigation and the action taken.
