Varsities, colleges can’t use jammers to curb mobile usage

Officials say the only way left is now to start physical frisking to counter cheating

State varsities are now rethinking how to curb high-tech copying in exams with the central government placing regulations on the use of jammers. As per the new rule, jammers can be procured only by defence forces, state police departments, jail authorities and Central government security agencies. In the city, jammers have been a useful tool for educational institutions to keep mobile phones at bay. For example, a few engineering colleges have installed jammers so that the gizmos are not used in the campuses while Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) uses jammers at sensitive exam centres. Even the recently-held All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) also had used jammers.

Speaking to Mirror, RGUHS vice-chancellor Dr S Ravindranath said, “Jammers have been a useful tool. If we are not allowed to use jammers, then we have to find newer methods. Maybe we have to go for additional staff and also start frisking, which may not be liked by students.” The rule (circular copy available with Mirror) strictly states, “Private sector organisations and or private individuals cannot procure/use jammers in India.”

For procurement and use of jammers by the state/union territories, defence forces and central police organisations, norms have been evolved by the office of the secretary (security), cabinet secretariat. As per the new rules framed by the Centre, secretary (security), cabinet secretariat, is the nodal authority for granting permission/clearance for procurement of jammers.

In fact, prior permission of secretary (security), cabinet secretariat, must be obtained in the prescribed proforma duly filled in all respects before procurement of jammers. The permission for procurement of jammers is granted in consultation with concerned security agencies who maintain a database of available jammers. Jammer models manufactured by ECIL and BEL are evaluated by concerned security agencies. Only those models can be procured which have been found suitable by the concerned security agencies. Central/State PSUs desirous of manufacturing jammers can apply to the secretary (security) giving details of the model, source of technology and other relevant details.

The request would be then processed in consultation with security agencies. For seeking prior permission for installation of jammers in jails, the total number of jammers required for installation in prisons needs to be assessed by jail authorities in consultation with the local office of the wireless adviser, department of telecommunications, Union Government, before the proposal is submitted for seeking approval of secretary, cabinet secretariat.

An official said these norms have taken into account the need to guard against random proliferation of jammers as well as to ensure that jammers installed do not unduly interfere with the existing mobile phone networks and with the equipments being used by the security agencies.


Why medical colleges seek jammers


As students were outsmarting the varsity with every move, the latter had no option but to go for jammers. The officials cite the example of hi-tech copying wherein medicos were spending close to Rs 25,000 each on a vest that helped them to cheat. After buying the vests online, they also bought pens which could scan the text in the question paper. Immediately after getting the question paper, each one of them used to take out the scanner pen, scan the question paper, convert into an MMS and send it to a person outside the examination hall from whom they would receive answer scripts.



Related Story: Jammers to debut in RGUHS exams
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