CBSE’s Inaction to Blame for Class 10 and 12 Question Paper Leaks

As early as 4 March, CBSE knew that people were trying to illegally access question papers by using a fake email ID.

Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar admitted, “Some parts of the paper were leaked on WhatsApp.”

(Photo: The Quint)

As early as 4 March, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) knew that attempts were being made to illegally access question papers. In a letter on 4 March, the CBSE’s Controller of Examinations had warned all examination centres about “some elements” trying to deceive them into sharing copies of question papers.

Twenty-four days after this warning, the CBSE admitted that the Class 12 Economics and Class 10 Mathematics papers had been leaked and called for a re-examination of both.

Is the board’s inaction for three weeks to blame for the CBSE question paper leaks?

CBSE Knew of Attempts to Gain Access to Papers

The following is the text from a circular addressed by the CBSE to all examination centres on 4 March 2018. It has been uploaded on the official CBSE website: http://cbse.nic.in.

It has been observed that some elements are writing to some of the examination centres and asking for the copies of question paper for verification. Such elements are sending text messages in the name of the undersigned using mail id [e-mail]. As you are aware that the Board does not ask for any copies of the administered question paper from its examination centres. Therefore, all the Examination Centres located in the country and abroad, are hereby intimated that such mails are frivolous and need not be responded or attended to. They are further directed not to send copies of any question paper and maintain the sanctity of the examination. In case of any need/exigency, the undersigned would directly contact the centres.

KK Choudhary, CBSE Controller of Examinations

CBSE circular dated 4 March 2018.(Photo: CBSE)

The Accountancy Exam: A Warning Unheeded

On 15 March, the CBSE Class 12 Accountancy exam made headlines across the country after reports emerged that the question paper had been leaked on WhatsApp and social media a day before.

At the time, the CBSE issued an official statement denying the paper leak. Rama Sharma, Senior Public Relations Officer for the CBSE, wrote:

“This is with reference to the alleged leakage of the CBSE Class XII Accountancy paper conducted today.

1. There has been no leakage of the question paper. All the seals have been found intact at all the exam centres.

2. During the process of examination, however, at local level, some miscreants have tried to play mischief by circulating messages through WhatsApp and other social media to disturb the sanctity of examinations.

3. CBSE has decided to take strict action against such activities. FIR is being lodged by CBSE today.”

Questions CBSE Needs to Answer

1. On the day of the alleged Accountancy paper leak, the CBSE did not publicise the fact that, according to their own notification on 4 March, “some elements are writing to some of the examination centres and asking for the copies of question paper”. Did the CBSE know that such attempts had stopped? If not, why then did the CBSE not use the opportunity to ensure that examination centres did not fall for this fraudulent trick?
2. Did the leak of the CBSE Class 12 Economics paper and the Class 10 Mathematics paper happen in a manner similar to that described in the circular on 4 March?
3. Apart from uploading the letter of warning on the CBSE's website, was a copy of the letter actually sent to each CBSE examination centre? Was each centre made aware of the threat being posed by the entity posing as [e-mail]?
4. If the CBSE had come to know of efforts being made by "some elements" to illegally gain access to question papers as early as 4 March, did the board inform the police and lodge a complaint, seek an investigation at the time?

The Quint has reached out to the CBSE for a response to these questions. This article will be updated as and when they reply.

HRD Ministry Intervenes: Too Little, Too Late?

Listen in to Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar’s assurances that “an investigation is underway & strict action will be taken” on the CBSE question paper leaks.

Javadekar also stated that a police complaint has been lodged. But dear Minister, I have a question. As early as 4 March, CBSE had found out that attempts were being made by people fraudulently posing as KK Choudhary, the CBSE’s Controller of Examinations, and trying to illegally access question papers. Was a police complaint filed then? If not, why?

The CBSE did file a police complaint after the alleged leak of the Accountancy paper on 15 March. But was that too a case of too little, too late? Now, as the CBSE faces lakhs of fuming students and parents in the wake of these two paper leaks, it’s high time the board responds to these unanswered questions.