PANAJI
Eleven months after Goa University (GU) was shaken by an examination paper leak that raised serious questions about academic integrity, the inquiry report meant to bring closure has remained out of public view, with assurances of swift action still unfulfilled.
From the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly in July 2025 to the session scheduled to begin next week, the findings of a high-level inquiry committee headed by retired High Court judge R M S Khandeparkar had neither been tabled nor debated, nor had any visible action followed.
The controversy, which surfaced in March 2025 against Assistant Professor Pranav Naik, dominated proceedings in the July Assembly session, where legislators cutting across party lines voiced concern over the declining standards of education at the university. The House spoke with rare unanimity on the need for an academic overhaul, a comprehensive audit, and a clear roadmap for reform.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had earlier stated that the government was “very much concerned” about the quality and functioning of the university and would recommend a thorough academic audit and a long-term vision document, while acknowledging the institution’s autonomous status. Those recommendations are pending implementation.
A senior officer in the Directorate of Higher Education confirmed that no instructions had been issued to the varsity to conduct an academic audit or to implement recommendations emerging from the Khandeparkar committee.
Sources familiar with the inquiry said the committee had established that the suspended faculty member was responsible for the leak. The report, submitted to the state government in July 2025, had also allegedly mentioned that Naik leaked the paper to his ‘favourite student’.
The report further faulted senior university authorities, including the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, for failing to act decisively, and warned of the risk of similar attempts in the future.
The committee comprised former DIG Bosco George (IPS), former Goa University Registrar Radhika Nayak, and Prof M R K Prasad of V M Salgaocar Law College. The Agassaim police had been investigating the case, awaiting closure or chargesheet.
