Forensic aptitude tests held offline despite being advertised as ‘fully online’

National Forensic Sciences University conducts FACT and FACT-Plus exams offline, sparking controversy over last-minute mode change.

The Forensic Aptitude and Caliber Test (FACT) 2024 and FACT-Plus examinations were held in offline mode despite advertisements stating that they would be conducted “fully online”.

The all-India examinations, which provide a list of qualified candidates for appointment to various posts in the Central and State forensic science laboratories, was conducted by the National Forensic Sciences University, Ministry of Home Affairs. The test was held at eight centres across the country on May 12, 2024.

On information that the tests were held in offline mode with no advance information to the candidates, an Right to Information (RTI) Act activist wrote to the NFSU seeking to clarify how and why the mode of the examinations was changed in the last minute. The NFSU confirmed that both the FACT and FACT-Plus examinations for all electives were conducted in offline mode at all the centres.

Asked how the mode of examination was changed to offline despite the advertisement claiming it would be held “fully online”, the national university said the FACT Council had the right to change the mode of examination.

To a question on the name and designation of the authority or authorities who were responsible for conducting the tests and decided to change the mode to offline, NFSU declined to provide the information by invoking the provisions under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which states that “information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information.”

When asked why the candidates were not informed in advance about the change in mode of test in their admit cards or website or why no clarification or explanation was given regarding the matter till date, the NFSU said no such information was available on record.

Raj Kapil of Nagercoil, the RTI Act petitioner who teaches criminology at a law institution, said an inquiry by an independent authority should be ordered to probe how the decision (to change the mode of examination in the last minute) was taken and whether there was any foul play.