New Delhi: The entrance examination for the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, was cancelled under suspicious circumstances at a Delhi centre on Sunday, following reports of massive administrative failure and security lapses. Candidates at the MD Indraprastha School in the Begumpur area alleged that question paper packets were unsealed or torn upon arrival, sparking immediate concerns of a paper leak. The scheduled 10:00 a.m. test, primarily for screen acting courses, never commenced, leaving dozens of aspiring students in a state of confusion and frustration.
According to several candidates, the examination process was marred by a total collapse of standard operating procedures. Students reported a complete lack of frisking or security checks at the entrance, with many even allowed to take mobile phones inside the examination hall. Administrative staff at the centre reportedly added to the chaos by claiming they had received an insufficient number of question paper sets, while biometric verification devices malfunctioned, and seating arrangements were non-existent. Without roll number mapping, students were forced to wander between rooms in a desperate search for their seats well past the scheduled start time.
The lack of communication from officials further aggravated the situation. Despite waiting for hours, the only update provided to the distressed candidates was a verbal announcement by a lone official stating that the exam was “cancelled and postponed” and that notifications would follow. No official written statement was issued on-site to clarify whether the cancellation applied nationally or was limited to the Delhi centre. For many students who had travelled from other cities, the mismanagement resulted in lost travel expenses and the potential waste of a critical career attempt.
The incident has raised serious questions regarding the oversight of the FTII and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in maintaining the integrity of such high-stakes entrance tests. With no clarity on a re-examination date or a formal confirmation of the breach, the credibility of the 2026 selection process remains under scrutiny. Candidates continue to await an official response from the institute’s management to address the systemic failures and ensure a fair and secure environment for any future testing.
