Mark List Scandal

It was 1981-1982.

The papers came out one day with the title " 0+0+0+2 = 524 ".

It was the great Kerala Mark List Thattippu...

M.K. Raghu, a student, who had scored the above 4 marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths, got a fake marklist done with a new set of marks, which read after adding - 524.

Not only he, hundreds of students, children of powerful people, had got admission in Medical and Engineering Colleges based on such marks in PDC over the past few years.

Those days professional college admissions were based on PDC marks.

All hell broke loose. Agitations dotted the length and breadth of Kerala Colleges. I remember giving a fiery speech in front of a crowded class of around 100 (I even remember the classroom - it was in first floor, just above the office room). After the speech, the first to get up, carry the books and come out were the front bench girls. In those days, girls were not so supportive of agitations, and very few of them boycotted classes willingly.

But such was the feeling of being cheated.

Finally government had to act. They went after all the students who were studying in engineering and medical classes with fake marks. Except one. He had landed in U.S. and had passed the qualifying examination there, and employed successfully too! The government couldn't do anything.

Anyway, the government had to prevent such incidents in future.

Thus was born the Entrance Test for professional college admissions in Kerala. I wonder how many students of this age are aware of this story..........