Ex-staffer’s RTI shows fraud in NIT admission

The charges are a result of a Right To Information (RTI) query, filed by a former staff of the premier institution. According to KM Karthik of Ezhil Nagar in Tiruverumbur, an NIT alumnus and former temporary staff, he sensed some irregularities in the process of selection of candidates for PhD as it is decentralised (allowing the institution to decide on admissions), while admission to the B Tech and M Tech programmes are centralised. The department of Energy and Environment of NIT-T organised a test for 81 PhD aspirants in 2015 for the selection of two scholars. Karthik applied for a copy of evaluation sheets of the aspirants, under RTI. 

According to Karthik, the RTI reply showed a particular student, who secured third lowest mark with just 9 marks (UG, PG and GATE), had secured the maximum marks of 22 in the interview, while another candidate who secured 20 marks (UG, PG, GATE), was awarded only eight marks in the interview. Another candidate who secured 18 marks was given just four in the interview. “The panel already selects the candidates, after which it calls for a test. This is a waste of money, energy and everyone’s time,” claimed Karthik who alleged  he did not get an extension because he filed the RTI. TN Janakiraman, Chief Vigilance Officer of NIT-T refuted the allegations saying Karthik had raised the issue with him earlier and they had already investigated the matter. 

“We conducted an inquiry but found no irregularities. We summoned Karthik but he did not meet us. NIT is accountable for any process taking place within the campus and I am sure the admission process for PhD too has taken place as per norms,” Janakiraman added. Dr G Kannabiran, the Director (In-charge) of NIT-T too claimed that all the charges were false.