IIT Kanpur's viral exam question on Arvind Kejriwal sparks online debate
An exam question from IIT Kanpur recently went viral on social media for mocking Arvind Kejriwal. The question required Kejriwal to design a filter to listen to PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat,' sparking controversy.
A recent question from an IIT Kanpur exam has gone viral on social media, stirring debate due to its reference to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The question, which appeared in an electrical engineering quiz, humorously suggested that Kejriwal needed to design a filter to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program. While it was merely a technical question, its content sparked controversy.
The controversial exam question
On February 11, the electrical engineering department at IIT Kanpur included this question in a major quiz for the ESC201 course. The students were instructed to design a filter that would allow Kejriwal to pass a specific radio channel while attenuating two other channels by -60dB. The aim was to ensure that he could exclusively listen to PM Modi’s program.
The problem further specified that Kejriwal, due to election expenses, could only afford a 50-ohm resistor, a variable inductor, and a variable capacitor. Students were required to calculate the filter’s quality factor and determine the values of inductance and capacitance.
Mixed reactions on social media
The question quickly gained traction online, with reactions varying widely. Some netizens found it amusing and a creative way to make learning engaging, while others criticized it as an example of political bias and small-mindedness. The reference to Kejriwal’s electoral spending and election loss fueled further debate.
IIT Kanpur responds
Following the controversy, IIT Kanpur officials issued a statement clarifying that professors often use well-known personalities to make exam questions more engaging. They cited previous examples where fictional characters like Tony Stark had been referenced in similar questions. The institute emphasized that the intent behind the question was purely academic and not meant to target any individual politically.
Despite the clarification, opinions remain divided. While some believe it was an innovative way to frame a technical question, others argue that educational institutions should refrain from including politically charged content in academic assessments.
