Worse, many students are already working and are unaware how their employers would react to their results.

The results have also shattered dreams of students planning to pursue higher studies abroad.

According to BU, 39 colleges are offering MBA courses. Of the 2,756 candidates who appeared for the exam this year, 300 have failed only in viva voce. Such a large number of students failing in the viva voce have been unheard of in the annals of Bangalore University.

“Though I did well in viva voce, I was awarded only 20 marks. Presently, I am working in a private firm and I have to submit my marks card in another 15 days. I haven't informed my company about my results as I'm apprehensive about their reaction,” Abhishek K, a MBA student of Vivekananda College, said.

The total marks allotted for viva is 50; students have to obtain at least 25 to pass. For Deepak K, his plans to study abroad have hit the roadblock. “I have secured 62 per cent overall in my theory papers. However, in viva I’ve been awarded only 18 marks. If the university holds re-exam, then I can study abroad, otherwise I'll have to appear for the exam next year,” he said.

The number of students failing in each college ranges anywhere between four and 15.

For instance, in Indian Academy School of Management Studies, 60 students appeared for the MBA exam. Of these, around 12 students have failed in viva.

“It was shocking for us when such meritorious students were awarded low marks. These students have scored good marks in all other papers,” Prof T Somashekar, Chairman of the Academy said, adding that most of these students have cleared their semesters in the first attempt.

Another college principal, on the condition of anonymity, said that in his college, about 59 students appeared for the exam - of these, 15 students have failed in the viva.

Guidelines

For all MBA students of Bangalore University, the viva is held at Central College campus. College principals alleged students who failed in viva were questioned by a particular examiner and said: “There might be a possibility the examiner was unaware of the examination guidelines.”

According to a BU official, this is not likely to be the case. “It’s untrue one examiner has failed so many students.

Also, all examiners would be informed about the examination guidelines. One of the reasons for so many students failing could be a few colleges have shortage of staff and the student might have borrowed projects.

They would  have presented the same to examiner. When examiner questioned in detail about the project, they would have failed to answer them,” the official said.

However, BU Vice-Chancellor H A Ranganath said he has directed the official concerned to examine the procedural lapses, if any, and submit the report by early next week.