Students appearing in the entrance exam are forced to pay for storing their bags and mobile phones outside the venue
NEW DELHI — A controversy has erupted at Jamia Millia Islamia, a prominent central university in the national capital, after a video surfaced on social media alleging illegal collection of money from students appearing for entrance examinations.
The footage, which has since gone viral, shows individuals allegedly charging students for storing their bags and mobile phones outside the exam venue — a practice many students have described as exploitative and recurrent.
The incident reportedly took place on Friday (May 2) during the entrance examination for the MA in Politics (International and Area Studies) programme. According to students, the issue occurred outside the university’s Senior Secondary School.
Eyewitnesses claim that a group of individuals, unauthorised by the university, were demanding money, reportedly between ₹20 to ₹50 per student, to keep their personal belongings, including mobile phones and bags, outside the exam hall.
The viral video shows a student confronting a man allegedly collecting money. When asked under whose authority he was taking the payments, the man refused to answer. The student, in the video, says, “We were not informed of any such arrangement, and suddenly we are being told to pay just to keep our belongings safely?”
Several students have claimed that such incidents are not isolated and have occurred earlier as well. “This kind of illegal extortion happens almost every year during entrance exams,” one student said on condition of anonymity.
Another student alleged that despite making attempts to raise the issue with university officials, they were met with apathy. “We went to the Proctor’s Office to complain, but the Proctor was unavailable. Staff there directed us to the offices of the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW) and the Controller of Examinations,” the student added.
In response to the growing outrage, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Prof Saima Saeed, issued a statement distancing the administration from the incident.
“We only conduct the examinations and ensure they are free of malpractice. Students are allowed entry with only their admit cards and pens; bags and mobile phones are not permitted in the hall,” she clarified.
Prof Saeed added, “It is not the university’s responsibility to arrange for the storage of students’ belongings. However, after the video went viral, the administration has issued internal instructions to prevent the recurrence of such events.”
The lack of official provision for storing personal items during exams has raised questions about logistical planning and student welfare. Many universities across India, especially those hosting large-scale entrance tests, usually make arrangements for the secure storage of bags and electronic devices. Students and parents are now questioning why a central university of Jamia’s stature failed to do the same.
A concerned parent from Aligarh who accompanied his daughter to the exam said, “We travelled all the way here, and there was no clarity on where to keep our children’s belongings. Suddenly, these people started charging money outside the gate — it felt very unorganised and unofficial.”
The video has triggered widespread outrage on social media platforms, with many users criticising the Jamia administration for its failure to protect students from alleged exploitation.
“This is shameful. Students should feel safe and respected, not looted outside a university gate,” posted one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Another wrote, “How can extortion take place right at the entrance of an educational institution, and yet the administration claims no responsibility?”
The incident has also sparked debates about accountability in university campuses and the role of security personnel in preventing unauthorised activities near examination venues.
Some students believe this is indicative of a larger, systemic issue. “This is not a one-time occurrence. Such illegal collections have taken place multiple times during previous exams too,” said a postgraduate student from the university.
According to sources within the student body, there have been informal complaints raised about this issue in the past, but no concrete action has ever been taken to investigate or stop these unauthorised practices.
Several student groups have demanded an immediate inquiry into the matter and better transparency regarding exam-day protocols. Suggestions have included installing CCTV cameras at all entrance gates, deputing university staff to manage belongings, or issuing clear instructions to students beforehand.
One student activist told this correspondent, “The university cannot just wash its hands off this. If they ban phones and bags inside the hall, they must provide a safe and free facility for storing them — it’s a basic requirement.”
