Engineering students from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) staged a strong protest on Monday against discrepancies in exam results, incorrect grace marks, and alleged errors in the photocopy and revaluation processes. The protest escalated when students, demanding urgent action, climbed the university gate and staged a sit-in on campus.
Students claimed that under SPPU’s 2019 pattern, many have received a ‘Year Down’ status due to failure in just one or two subjects, jeopardising their entire academic year. To prevent this academic loss and to demand a re-examination, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Vidyarthi Congress organised a protest at the university gate.
The demonstration began with loud sloganeering. When the administration did not respond, students climbed and broke open the gate to enter the campus, creating a tense atmosphere. Police were deployed in large numbers and managed to bring the situation under control. Mahesh Kamble, general secretary of NSUI, told mid-day, “Around 300 students from Pune, Nashik, and other regions participated. The university representative asked for time, so we’ve given them two days. If our demands are not fulfilled, we will continue the agitation on Wednesday.”
Bhushan Ranbhare, former district president of NSUI, and Ronak Khabe from the YouTube channel Aalsi Engineer, also participated in the protest. The students pointed out that Amravati University has allowed students to ‘carry on’ despite backlogs and demanded that SPPU either follow the same approach or conduct a re-exam to save students’ academic year.
Akshay Jain, former national secretary of NSUI, said, “It is not the job of students to protest on the streets. But due to the administration’s negligence, we are forced to. If an institution known as the ‘Oxford of the East’ puts students’ futures at risk, it is shameful.” Bhushan Ranbhare added, “We will fight till the end to protect students’ academic year. If SPPU doesn’t act, this protest will spread across Maharashtra.”
Ronak Khabe, another student representative, said, “Thousands of students are reaching out on our platform, sharing their pain. This isn’t just about one exam — it’s about their entire future. A re-exam is their rightful demand.” Following police intervention, NSUI leaders met with the vice chancellor and discussed the issue at length. The VC assured them that a positive decision would be taken within two days. It was also informed that the pro-vice chancellor is currently in Delhi to meet with the UGC Chairman regarding this matter.
Prof Dr Prabhakar Desai, acting director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation, stated, “Some students have submitted representations regarding carry-on or supplementary examinations. The students making this demand have not secured at least 50 per cent of the credits required for that academic year. As per university rules, all such students are deemed to have failed in that academic year. In view of student welfare, further action will be taken after considering the legal aspects and guidance from the relevant apex bodies.”
Prof Dr Suresh Gosavi, vice-chancellor, stated, “The university administration has always prioritised students and taken student-centric decisions. In the past, too, the university has taken decisions to ensure that students do not lose an academic year under specific circumstances. This time as well, a decision will be made after seeking legal advice and within the framework of the rules.”
