SKUAST-K becomes Kashmir’s first university to conduct fully paperless postgraduate semester examination
Blazing Tales News Service
SRINAGAR, July 25: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has created history by becoming the first university in the Kashmir Valley to conduct a completely paperless postgraduate semester examination, marking a major milestone in the digital transformation of higher education in the region.
The university successfully conducted a tablet-based examination for around 150 postgraduate students enrolled in the course Statistical Methods for Applied Sciences, replacing the traditional pen-and-paper system with a secure digital examination platform.
The initiative was introduced under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai as part of SKUAST-K’s efforts to modernise academic administration through technology-driven, sustainable and student-friendly practices. The move is aimed at building a future-ready academic ecosystem in line with global standards in digital education.
The examination process was coordinated under the supervision of Controller of Examinations Prof. K. N. Qaisar, Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, and Head, Division of Agricultural Statistics, Prof. Imran Khan. They ensured that the examination was conducted smoothly while maintaining academic standards and data security protocols.
The examination was monitored by Dr. Aziz Mujtaba Aezum, Dr. M. Iqbal Jeelani and Dr. Immad A. Shah, who supervised classroom operations, provided technical assistance and facilitated students throughout the examination.
Describing the initiative as a landmark achievement, Prof. Ganai said the successful conduct of the digital examination reflects the university’s commitment to adopting innovative technologies that improve academic quality while promoting sustainability and operational efficiency.
He said the transition goes beyond replacing paper with digital devices and represents a significant step towards preparing students for a technology-driven future by making academic processes more transparent, efficient and environmentally responsible.
SKUAST-K had earlier introduced paperless examinations for undergraduate end-term assessments. The extension of the system to postgraduate programmes marks another significant step towards fully digitising the university’s examination and evaluation process.
According to the university, the digital platform offers several advantages, including a substantial reduction in paper consumption, printing and physical storage requirements, thereby supporting environmental sustainability. It also enables secure digital distribution of question papers, encrypted submission of answer scripts and faster evaluation, leading to quicker declaration of results.
To maintain the integrity of the examination, the platform operates in a secure locked environment that prevents candidates from accessing external resources during the test. Digital audit trails, automated timestamps and activity logs further enhance transparency and accountability throughout the assessment process.
The initiative is also expected to help students become familiar with computer-based examinations, preparing them for national-level competitive tests such as ICAR-NET, GATE, CSIR-UGC NET and the Civil Services Examination. The platform also incorporates accessibility features, including adjustable font sizes and enhanced screen visibility for a better examination experience.
With the successful conduct of the postgraduate examination, SKUAST-K has established a scalable model for digital assessments in higher education. The university plans to gradually extend the paperless examination system to all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, further strengthening its position as a leader in technology-enabled agricultural education and academic innovation.
