UGC asks universities to encourage students to enroll for 'cow science' exam

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) wrote to the vice-chancellors of all universities affiliated under it to disseminate the details of the 'cow science' exam and asked them to encourage their students to enroll in the test. The Kamdhenu Gau-Vigyan Prachar-Prasar Examination is open for everyone, including school/college students, will be held in 12 regional languages and English.

The examination, run by the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) set up under the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, was announced last month to be conducted on 25th of this month. An appreciation certification will be issued for all participants, the notification had read.

The UGC letter further described that the test is to educate the general public on the economic, scientific, environmental and spiritual relevance of the indigenous cow.

In the press release announcing the exam, the chief of RKA, Vallabhbhai Kathiria had said that not much has done to educate the masses about qualities of the indigenous cow. He had added that in addition to being informative, the exam would make Indians aware of the potential for business opportunities indigenous cow could offer even after it stops giving milk.

The RKA had released a controversial study material for the exam on their site, describing cows, rearing them, and cow products' unique qualities. The material claimed that India and Russia used cow dung in nuclear centres against radiation and it protected villages during Bhopal gas leak tragedy. It also said that indigenous cows are clever and active compared to Jersey cows that are lazy and give low quality milk. Indigenous cows produce yellow coloured milk because of traces of gold in it, the material claimed and further said that cow slaughter and earthquakes are scientifically linked.

But two days after the release, two-thirds of the material was taken down from RKA site, including the above claims, after arguments arose saying the material unscientific.