USTM Exam Scam 2025: In a significant development, a new scam has been reported in one of the most reputed institutes of the Northeast, the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM). The Special Task Force (STF) of the Assam police arrested Mahbabul Haque, the Chancellor and owner of the USTM, from his residence in Ghoramara, Guwahati.
According to reports, Hoque’s arrest is linked to allegations of facilitating unfair means during the CBSE Class 12 Physics examination at a school in Sribhumi.
Also Read: NAAC Bribery Scam 2025: Can the Accreditation system be trusted?
Allegations and Controversy
The matter erupted after 214 students, studying under the ‘Vision 50’ program offered by USTM to prepare for competitive exams, were taken to the Central Public School, Patharkandi to appear for their class 12th Board exam. The school is run by the Education Research and Development Foundation based in Guwahati and owned by Haque. During the examination period, the malpractice of assistance have been reported, where it was alleged that the Chancellor and few teachers gave the assistance to the students who were appearing for the examination.
The students were promised help during their board examination in the 30 marks MCQs and the short and long answers as well. As per the student’s report, only 41 local students were provided with the “assistance” during the examination. Along with Haque, five teachers from the school were also arrested.
USTM Exam Scam: CM speaks on the matter
On 23rd February 2025, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed the names of 209 students who were promised higher marks in the board exam.
Further, CM Sarma also added, “For some time now, I have been observing a large network which promises students that they will ensure high marks for them, and ahead of medical and engineering entrance and CBSE-conducted exams, the examination center of these students are changed to some specific schools.”
Interestingly, the Education Minister of Meghalaya government Rakkam Sangma also denied to provide any comments regarding this ongoing issue. He clearly said that the controversy happened in Assam, so there is no use of uplifting the issue by the government of Meghalaya. If anything under their jurisdiction comes, they will look into it in future.
Past Allegations and Conflicts
This is not the first time USTM and it’s Chancellor has faced such a scrutiny since allegations and controversies like this have erupted in the past as well. Hoque was accused of fraudulently obtaining an OBC Certificate in the 1990s, which was subsequently canceled. Moreover, just last year, CM Sarma accused USTM of contributing to the artificial flooding in Guwahati due to unregulated construction activities. He referred to this as “flood jihad.”
What happens now?
Sribhumi sub-divisional judicial magistrate Feng Liu rejected the police’s plea for a two-day remand of the arrested persons. They were sent to the 14-days judicial custody. Moreover, she also rejected the bail appeal by 14 lawyers on behalf of the arrested persons. As of now, the police will proceed with further investigation and a trial will be held.
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