GU phases out operations of ITI Ltd amid marksheet scandal

Guwahati: ITI Limited is being phased out of Gauhati University operations amid the marksheet scandal. The varsity is conducting its last undergrad exams under ITI Ltd, a GoI undertaking, following the expiry of a five-year contract with it way back in 2022. Despite it, ITI Ltd continued to handle exam-related tasks, raising questions and leading to its eventual discontinuation.
The influential Aasu had previously opposed extending the term of ITI Ltd and its outsourced personnel. Allegations had emerged about delays in the declaration of results by the firm, and now suspicious activities in the software database managed by ITI Ltd’s unit head have come to the fore. “After the contract ended, ITI Ltd should have handed over all the exam-related data of students to the new party but it continued to be involved in these works at GU,” said a source in the university.
Ten persons have been arrested in connection with the latest marksheet scam, which involved alleged manipulation of marks in exchange for money. There were previous instances of delayed result declarations by ITI Ltd as well, causing frustration among students and staff.
“Since ITI Limited had the background record of several batches, it was allowed to continue for the sake of those students only. But it was already decided to discontinue the services of ITI Ltd from this year. 2024 exams going on under GU are going to be the last where ITI Limited is involved,” a senior GU official told TOI.
GU has shifted students registered since 2022 to the university’s in-house online portal managed by its IT department, moving away from the ITI Ltd-managed system. This new mechanism involves internal GU personnel rather than outsourced staff. Another transition is under way to use the Samarth portal for storing student data and managing examination tasks.