CBSE new leak-proof exam process

Expressing deep concern over the leak of CBSE question papers, Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said the government was conducting an internal probe into the reports and will be putting in place a ‘new mechanism’ from April 2 to ensure ‘leak proof’ arrangement for the examination.

“The CBSE had a very solid system in place. But if someone is leaking it or there is some loophole in it, taking that into consideration, a new system will be put in place from April 2 which will ensure there is no such leakage and the government would ensure that there is no injustice,” Javadekar said.

The HRD minister also expressed confidence that the police would investigate and nab the culprits.

“This I want to assure the parents and the students. I am confident that police will investigate and nab the culprits,” the minister said, adding, “The government has taken serious cognisance of the leak. There must be a gang. They must be doing all this deliberately with plans.”

The minister said that the exams are conducted across the country but this has been reported only from a few schools in Delhi. The Union Cabinet has cleared the decks for the National Testing Agency to come into effect from next year to ensure leak-proof examination, he said.

The minister added that some portions of the papers were leaked on WhatsApp too.

“On a complaint by the CBSE regional director, a case has been registered and a dedicated SIT has been constituted to investigate the case. Investigation is underway and strict action will be taken,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the HRD minister and has been briefed about the issue.

“Prime Minister Modi had been given all the information. This is an issue which is very important for him,” the HRD minister said.

According to reports, the CBSE has announced a re-examination in the Class X Mathematics and Class XII Economics papers which were leaked.

“With a view to uphold the sanctity of the board examinations and in the interest of fairness to the students, the board has decided to re-conduct the examinations.” the CBSE circular stated, adding, “The board has taken cognisance of certain happenings in the conduct of certain examinations as are being reported.”

“Dates for the re-examination of the two papers would be posted on the CBSE website within a week,” the circular said.

This is not the first time the CBSE exam papers were leaked. In 2006, while searching for suspects involved in a Varanasi bomb blast case, police uncovered the leaked CBSE question paper of Business Studies. And in 2011, three persons — Krishnan Raju (principal of government senior secondary school at Lapati, Car Nicobar), Rashid (executive engineer of the Andamans PWD), and Vijayan (a forest ranger) — were arrested for leaking CBSE question papers of Class XII Science and Mathematics exams.