Carry-On Row at SPPU: Grace Marks Controversy Fuels Campus Unrest at Pune University
Pune, 14th July 2025: A fresh wave of student protests erupted at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on Monday as engineering students gathered outside the university’s main building, demanding the implementation of the carry-on system following alleged discrepancies in recently declared exam results.
The agitation began after the Examination and Evaluation Board announced the results of various faculties, which students claim contain multiple errors, particularly in the engineering stream. Demonstrators have alleged that inconsistent grace marks and technical errors have unfairly impacted student outcomes.
Student leader Akshay Jain from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) raised concerns over the unequal application of grace marks. “In a 50-mark paper, the standard grace should be five marks. Yet, we have seen a case where a student was passed with 11 grace marks. There is no transparency, and students are being penalized due to administrative lapses,” Jain said.
In response to the unrest, the university administration has deployed police security on campus to maintain order, even as students continue to raise slogans demanding re-evaluation and the option to carry forward subjects.
University Officials Respond
Addressing the issue, Prof. Dr. Prabhakar Desai, Director-in-charge of the Examination and Evaluation Board, acknowledged the students’ concerns but clarified that the demands relate to students who have not achieved the required 50% credit marks for the academic year.
“Some students of SPPU have submitted representations regarding carry-on or supplementary examinations. As per university rules, those who have failed to obtain at least 50% credit marks in a year are deemed failed. However, their demands will be considered with student welfare in mind, and further steps will be taken based on legal guidance and directives from apex regulatory bodies,” Desai said.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Suresh Gosavi reaffirmed the university’s student-centric approach, assuring that any action taken will be in accordance with established norms and in the students’ best interests.
“The university always keeps students at the center of decision-making. In past instances, we have taken steps to ensure that students’ academic years are not wasted. This time too, a decision will be made after legal consultation and within the framework of the rules,” Gosavi said.
Background and Way Forward
The carry-on system allows students who fail in a few subjects to continue into the next academic year without losing an entire year. With hundreds of students potentially affected, protestors insist that a flexible approach is necessary, especially in light of administrative inconsistencies.
As the protest enters its second phase, university officials have indicated that dialogue is open, and a decision may be reached after legal and academic review.
