In a move to curb copying, the University of Madras has revised fines for mass copying by 10 times – from Rs 5000 to Rs 50,000.

The move was reportedly informed to the Senate by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, P Duraisamy on Saturday.

“If the disciplinary committee on examination finds mass copying in any college based on the answer scripts or square visit, we will impose ₹50,000 fine on that college. Students will be debarred for a maximum of three years depending upon the severity of the offence,” he said according to a report in The Hindu.

In September 2017, the university imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on four colleges for mass copying.

Expedite remuneration to examiners 

During the meeting at the Senate House, the issue of remuneration to examiners was brought up with the senator, demanding that the remuneration payment be expedited, the report said.

The examiners are usually paid three months after the exams are completed. However, certain colleges complained that their examiners haven’t received payments even after March, despite the exams having been completed in December.

“Even the results are out but the examiners have not received payment,” one of the senators reportedly stated.

The university will also reportedly decided to improve the valuation system owing to the spurt in re-evaluations. In the meeting, it was decided that a chief examiner would have seven examiners under him rather than the usual five examiners.

Complaints about foreign examiners for PhD candidates was also pending. Responding to this, the Chancellor reportedly said that the university was unable to pay those examiners who were unwilling to disclose their passport and bank account details, which was a new rule issued by the banks.

We have decided to ask the foreign examiner if he or she is willing to share the details. If the person refuses, he or she will not be an examiner,” Duraisamy explained.