Title: Wanted Exam to be More Engaging: IIT Kanpur on ‘Kejriwal & Mann Ki Baat’ Question
The recent viral sensation in the academic world has left many surprised and amused. A question paper from IIT Kanpur, one of the most prestigious engineering institutions in India, went viral for asking students to design a filter for Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, to help him listen to PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ after the Delhi poll loss. The question sparked a mix of reactions, with many praising the institute for its creativity and others questioning the relevance of such a question in an engineering exam. In this blog post, we will delve into the controversy and explore the statement released by IIT Kanpur.
The question, which was part of the examination for the course ‘Signal Processing and Linear Systems’, was designed to test the students’ understanding of filter design and its applications. According to the statement released by IIT Kanpur, the professor who drafted the question likes to use “references to well-known personalities…to make exam questions more engaging.” The institute confirmed that the question was “real” and not a hoax.
The question, which was widely shared on social media platforms, read: “Design a filter for Arvind Kejriwal to help him tune into PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ after his Delhi poll loss.” The question was intended to test the students’ ability to design a filter that can separate the desired signal (in this case, PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’) from the noise or unwanted signals.
While some people found the question entertaining and innovative, others were critical of the institute’s decision to include such a question in an engineering exam. They argued that the question was not relevant to the course material and that it was more of a joke than a serious academic exercise. Some even questioned the purpose of including such a question, stating that it was an attempt to make the exam more “trendy” or “popular”.
However, IIT Kanpur has clarified that the question was designed to test the students’ understanding of filter design and its applications, and not to make fun of Arvind Kejriwal or PM Narendra Modi. The institute stated that the professor who drafted the question likes to use references to well-known personalities to make exam questions more engaging and to test the students’ ability to think creatively.
The controversy surrounding the question has sparked a debate on the role of creativity in academic exams. While some argue that creativity is essential in academic exams, others believe that it is not necessary and that exams should focus solely on testing the students’ knowledge and understanding of the course material.
In conclusion, the recent viral sensation from IIT Kanpur has raised important questions about the role of creativity in academic exams. While some people found the question innovative and engaging, others were critical of the institute’s decision to include such a question in an engineering exam. The controversy has sparked a debate on the importance of creativity in academic exams and has highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to exam design.
IIT Kanpur’s statement on the matter has clarified that the question was designed to test the students’ understanding of filter design and its applications, and not to make fun of Arvind Kejriwal or PM Narendra Modi. The institute’s decision to use references to well-known personalities to make exam questions more engaging has sparked a debate on the importance of creativity in academic exams.
As the academic world continues to evolve, it is essential for institutions to rethink their approach to exam design and to incorporate more creative and engaging questions that challenge students to think critically and creatively. The controversy surrounding the ‘Kejriwal & Mann Ki Baat’ question has highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to exam design and has sparked a debate on the role of creativity in academic exams.
