Despite being advertised as ‘fully online’, the forensic aptitude test was kept offline

The all-India exams, which are used to recruit for various posts in central and state forensic science laboratories, were held on May 12, 2024 at eight centers across the country. Photo credit: iStock

The Forensic Aptitude and Caliber Test (FACT) 2024 and FACT-Plus exams were conducted in offline mode despite advertisements that they would be conducted “fully online”.

The All India Examinations, which shortlist eligible candidates for appointment to various posts in Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories, were conducted by the National Forensic Science University, Ministry of Home Affairs. The exam was held on May 12, 2024 at eight centers across the country.

After learning that the examination was conducted in offline mode without giving advance information to the examinees, an activist of the Right to Information (RTI) Act has written to NFSU to clarify how and why the examination mode was changed at the last minute. NFSU confirmed that both FACT and FACT-Plus examinations were conducted in offline mode at all centers for all electives.

Asked how the exam mode was changed to offline despite the advertisement that it would be “completely online”, the National University said the FACT Council has the authority to change the exam mode.

In response to a query on the name and designation of the officer or officers responsible for conducting the examination, the NFSU refused to provide the information invoking the provisions under Section 8 (1) (j). RTI Act, which states that “information relating to personal information the disclosure of which has no connection with any public activity or interest, or which would cause unnecessary attack. Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer or Appellate Authority, as the case may be, in larger public interest Privacy of the individual unless satisfied that disclosure of such information is justified.

When asked why the candidates were not informed in advance about the change in exam mode on their admit cards or website or why no explanation or explanation has been given on the matter so far, NFSU said that there is no such information on record.

Raj Kapil of Nagercoil, an RTI Act petitioner who teaches criminology at a law institute, said an inquiry should be ordered by an independent agency to probe how the decision (to change the exam mode at the last minute) was taken and whether there was one. Any bad game.

Mr. Kapil said the candidates were given a hard copy of the answer sheet and asked to circle their choices using a pen. He said, ‘Candidates or others or others can do many irregularities in the examination hall.