Maharashtra: Controversy Erupts as MH-SET Eligibility Test Question Paper Accused of Plagiarism
Pune, 25th December 2023: The recently conducted eligibility test for research fellowships at Sarathi, Barti, and Mahajyoti institutes in the state has come under scrutiny following allegations of plagiarism. Candidates who appeared for the test on Sunday discovered significant similarities between the question paper they received and the Maharashtra State Eligibility Test (MH-SET) conducted in 2019.
The responsibility for crafting the question paper fell on the Department of Maharashtra State Eligibility Test at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). However, it has been revealed that portions of the ‘SET-2019’ question paper were allegedly “copy-pasted” into the recent eligibility test for research fellowships.
Sarathi, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Institute of Research, Training and Human Development; Barti, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute; and Mahajyoti, Mahatma Jotiba Phule Research and Training Institute, are renowned for conducting eligibility tests for research fellowships. The examination took place across various divisions, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Nagpur, and Pune.
Approximately 3,473 Ph.D. students, including 1,329 from Sarathi, 761 from Barti, and 1,383 from Mahajyoti, participated in the examination. However, the credibility of the exams conducted by Sarathi, Barti, Mahajyoti, and the SET department of the university has been called into question due to the alleged plagiarism in the question paper.
Candidates expressed concerns about the impact on the quality and reliability of the examinations. The controversy surrounding the similarity between the recent eligibility test question paper and the 2019 SET question paper has raised questions about the integrity of the examination process and the need for a thorough investigation into the matter.
