Odisha’s Utkal varsity to conduct offline admission post hacking

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 10:

In the wake of the alleged hacking of the Utkal University website meant for e-admission, the authorities in Odisha capital today decided to go for offline admission this year.

In an emergency meeting called by the varsity’s PG Council, the authorities here unanimously decided in favour of offline admission this year following the e-admisison website hacking by a Dubai-based cyber attacker identifying himself as Ahmad Chanda.

“We have decided to conduct offline admission this year. A student can procure the form from the various departments of the university available from today. A demand draft and a photograph would be sufficient to submit the filled up form required to appear for entrance examination. Following submission of the form, admit card will be issued instantly. The last date for accepting application form has been extended to June 7 from May 14,” Utkal University PG Council chairman Ranjan Kumar Bal told media persons.

We have strong security features. The hacker was unable to break into it. The data of the website are intact. We will be conducting a security audit. Someone claimed on Facebook that he has hacked the website. We are yet to ascertain the veracity of the claim, Bal added.

As per university sources, as many as 13, 355 students had submitted their applications online for admission into various post graduate courses offered by it. The applicants would be intimated through e-mail about the change in the admission process.

Meanwhile, the varsity authorities have decided to conduct the entrance examinations between June 19 and June 28.

Following the hacking, the authorities have filed a complaint with the Cyber Cell of the Crime Branch.

The website—www.eadmission.utkaluniversity.ac.in—has been taken down following the cyber attack.

It may be recalled that a suspected Pakistani group had defaced the website of Utkal University last week. The matter is being probed by the Crime Branch.