UGC Directs Universities to Install Jammers to Curb Unfair Practices in Exams

In a bid to reduce the use of unfair means in the examinations centres of different institutes, colleges and universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed the Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Higher education institutes to install jammers in the centres.

In 2016, the Government of India had authorized the use of low-powered jammers in examinations halls and centres by statutory bodies that conducted various examinations. This step had been taken by the government to ensure in curbing the use of radio frequency-based devices used for unfair practices.

The University Grants Commission sent out a letter, which directed all Vice-Chancellors and College Principals to adhere to the Government’s Policy to install jammers in the University and Colleges.

The UGC has directed the VCs and Principals to use a specific kind of jammer by the name of “EC-CRJ-6B5”. This device has been tested and has undergone evaluation through different lab tests and field trials which had been conducted by a Board of Officers. The Board of Officers had suggested the model of the jammer which should be used in the examinations centres and halls across universities and colleges. They further suggested that for the examination halls with this specific jammer model, the administration will have to ensure that no Base Transceiver Station is located with a 100-meter radius of the jammer.

It has further announced that the performance of the jammers will be checked before an examination is started at the examination halls. This will be done to gauge the effectiveness of a jammer based on different factors such as

• Signal Strength of BTS

• Power Output of Jammer

• Traffic Load on BTS

• The distance of Jammer from BTS

• Topography

• Terrain

• Line of Sight

There are other factors that have been defined by UGC, which the VCs and Principals have been directed to follow. The letter from UGC further stated that a permit will need to be taken from the Secretary (Security) with regards to the government’s policy on jammers.

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The Government has authorised its bodies, viz. Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the supply of the low powered jammers for the installation in different examination halls and centres. The deployment of the jammers will be done on a rental basis, depending on the requirements mentioned by the bodies responsible for conducting the exams.

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The Government’s Policy on Jammers states that the universities and colleges should refrain from using jammers produced by unauthorised producers. It stated that the installation of such unauthorised jammers will be considered as a violation of the norms.