The High School Certificate Examination, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, got its first question paper of The Mother India Language (MIL) leaked on the very first day of commencement of examinations on Friday. The question paper was circulated on social media platforms in districts Nuapada and Dhenkanal.
However, refusing the allegations, School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra argued that mobile phones were strictly prohibited in the examination hall.
“As per the system, question papers are transported to nodal centers and kept there in police custody. It was dispatched to exam centers under tight police security. There is no way the paper could leak as the packets were opened in presence of officials,” Mr. Patra said.
Arguing over that, Board of Secondary Education authorities confirmed the leak of the question paper.
“The question paper was leaked after the commencement of the exam and the board will conduct an inquiry into the matter,” said BSE president Jahan Ara Begum.
“We had made all sorts of security arrangements. Mobile phones in the exam hall were completely banned. Disciplinary action will definitely be taken if the inquiry reveals that anyone has deviated from the instructions,” she added.
It has been reported that over 5.87 lakh students are appearing in the HSC Examination, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, across the state.