CA EXAMINATION SANCTITY – A CRUCIAL ISSUE

The recent episode of a sting operation by a leading TV channel in relation to CPT Entrance Examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has raised a serious concern among the Members of the Institute as well as the society. The Institute immediately cancelled the examination and has decided to re-conduct the same on 25th August 2007. The Institute has also constituted a High Power Committee, headed by a Government Nominee to very closely inquire about the subject matter and also to review the weakness in the system and control so that such events do not happen again. It is worth noting that no other CA Examination had been impacted by paper leakage earlier. The lure and lust of money converted into greed for CPT Entrance Examination, in view of its nature of an objective type examination.
The CA examinations are known for their highest standards, tough control and intense preparation requirement to ensure expert level of knowledge among Chartered Accountants. The passing percentage has been ranging from 7%-9% in Final to a range of 15-20% at intermediate level and there is no reason to suspect that there has been any case of paper leakage in the past. It is highly appreciated that the full Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is deeply concerned about the current paper leakage of the entrance examination. The Council may consider –

• To closely review the current examination systems and procedures and to beef them up with proper internal control mechanism.
• Expert Advisers on systems, securities and control can be retained to advise the Council.
• CPT Entrance Examination may be immediately converted from objective type to a tough and high standard subjective type examination, to enable the Institute to ensure that entry into CA course is very tough and thereafter passing intermediate / final examination, for such high quality students should be easier.
• The CPT paper was leaked from the examination center where paper was sent, just days before the examination. There are more than 200 centers all across India and it may be important to ensure a “three-key control” wherein the papers are kept in sealed boxes, sent to the examination center under high security and are opened few minutes before the examination commences in the presence of ICAI representative, the examination centers in charge and a Committee of volunteer Chartered Accountants.
• To further upgrade the quality of all the CA examination, substantially so as to ensure that only persons with very deep academic as well as practical knowledge are only able to pass the examination. The Council can consider introducing practical multi-disciplinary case studies as a part of the examination.
• The coaching institutes are registered, monitored and disciplined. No coaching is permitted within 9.30 A M and 5.30 P M. ICAI consent to take coaching may be made mandatory. ICAI is also considering providing mandatory coaching by ICAI itself.
• The paper setters, examiners, head examiners and all other connected with the examination system should be subject to rotation periodically and also should be subjected to very tough screening and on going surveillance, to ensure complete sanctity of the system.

Those who planned to leak the papers of CPT actually forgot that CPT paper leakage may give them an entry into a course which is very tough at all level and the very basis of the Course is Excellence, independence and integrity. When there is no integrity, they can never pass CA and we will never allow them to pass CA. We all are committed to take a very tough and stern action against those who are responsible for the current paper leakage. The police have already arrested one of the culprits and others are in the process. A detailed investigation by the police and / or CBI will completely uproot this menace.