Panjab University to its colleges: Install CCTV cameras in centres before next annual exams

In order to curb the menace of unfair means and to uphold the standards of robust and fair examinations, the Punjab University has issued a direction to all constituent and affiliated colleges for the installation of CCTV cameras in its examination centres before the next annual examination, i.e. May 2026. The colleges will not be designated as examination centres if they fail to follow the direction.

The decision of the Panjab University has been placed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Yajvender Pal Verma, Registrar of university, on behalf of the respondents during the hearing of a writ petition filed by the Managing Committee, Guru Nanak College, Ferozepur Cantt, Punjab.

In the petition, a prayer is made for issuance of direction to respondents, Punjab University and Controller of Examinations to direct all its affiliated Colleges to install CCTV cameras in their examination centres, and ensure compliance of such direction and not to designate those affiliated colleges as examination centres which fail to do so.

The petitioner raised the issue to ensure that no unfair means can be used during the examination to uphold the standard of the examinations. By installing the CCTV cameras, the transparency in the examinations can be ensured.

After hearing of the arguments, Justice Kuldeep Tiwari said that the university has taken a specific stand that the university being cognisant of its responsibilities has already taken a decision to curb the menace of unfair means in the examination centres, and to uphold the standards of robust and fair examinations, to issue direction to install CCTV cameras in its constituent and affiliated colleges. Upon the notice of motion in the instant writ petition, the reply, by way of affidavit of Yajvender Pal, Registrar, on behalf of the university filed today. The same is taken on the  record. In view of the specific direction for its implementation, this court is of the considered opinion that no further order is required to be passed in the instant writ petition closed. Consequently, the instant writ petition is disposed of. However, the respondent-university is directed to adhere to the undertaking given before this court.

Over 200 colleges are affiliated with the university  across Punjab and Chandigarh.