COMEDK turns to cybersecurity experts to prevent examination malpractice

The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) has taken decisive action to implement stringent measures in future entrance tests to combat malpractices in the COMEDK-UGET exams. Seeking technical recommendations, the organization plans to hire three cybersecurity experts to advise on preventing any form of malpractice.

This decision comes in the wake of several instances of malpractice during the COMEDK-UGET-2026 exams in Jamshedpur. Speaking at a press conference, COMEDK Secretary S. Kumar announced that the organization is developing a more foolproof system and will engage three senior cybersecurity experts to submit recommendations to curb malpractices.

For the 2027 exams, COMEDK will upload seven sets of question papers, as opposed to the current four sets, and will provide the password to access the question paper only 20 minutes before the exams, upping the ante on security. Previously, passwords were shared an hour before the test. The case of malpractice in the 2026 exams led to an FIR being registered in Jamshedpur, involving at least four invigilators who turned approvers and subsequently disappeared from the city due to facing death threats.

Kumar emphasized the importance of taking swift action against those involved, stating that the modus operandi was so shocking that even COMEDK's technical partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was taken aback. In addition to technical measures, COMEDK is also providing emotional and psychological support for students studying professional courses and has partnered with the 'Sneha Society for Counselling' to offer free online and offline counselling.

This move aims to address the hesitation many students face in seeking counselling due to familiarity.