Kannur University senate members flag data-fraud risk in exam registration process

The Kannur University Senators Forum has warned that sensitive personal information collected from students through the K-REAP software for first semester Four Year Under Graduate Programme (FYUGP) exam registration could expose thousands to data fraud. The forum raised the issue with the Vice-Chancellor, citing concerns over the nature and volume of data being sought.

Forum convener Shino P. Jose said students’ date of birth, marital status, caste details, and annual income were being collected using the software operated by Maharastra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL). He said the purpose of seeking such data remained unclear and accused the company of collecting information beyond what was required for exam registration.

He claimed that pairing case details with marital status increased the risk of such data being diverted to marriage bureau networks, while information on family income could be sold to financial institutions. It added that universities in Maharashtra had withdrawn from similar arrangement after identifying such risks.

The senate members questioned the university’s decision to reassign exam related work to the MKCL despite allegations that the agency had been blacklisted earlier. They warned that the possible exchange of data belonging to students raised grave concerns about privacy and misuse.

The forum also said that shifting the burden of exam registration to department heads had disrupted academic work across colleges. Mr. Jose said legal action would be pursued if students were held responsible for lapses caused by the system.