Lok Sabha Question No. 378 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Question Papers Leak
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Kanakmal Katara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 378 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## Question Papers Leak

## †378. SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

## SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the incidents of leaking of question papers, copying and cancellation of the  examinations  raises  serious  question  mark  on  the  education  system  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard and if so, the outcome thereof;
- (c) the details of such people/racket busted in the country during the last three years which have dodged the students by deceiving or enticing them to get passed in exams, State/UT and year-wise; and
- (d) the action taken/being taken by the Government against such people including the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  check  the  recurrence  of  such incidents?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a): The  Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  has  informed  that  the  Board  has continuously been taking several measures to conduct examination in a smooth & fair manner.  However, as per media reports, there are unscrupulous elements/ groups who are involved in unfair practices including leaking of question papers, cheating, hacking of online system in both pen and paper as well as in online examinations. It has also been  observed  that  Social  Media  platform  such  as  Youtube  and  Whatsapp  is  used extensively for using unfair practices.

(b) & (c): In  the  year,  2018  examination  in  the  subject  of  Economics  had  to  be cancelled for Class XII due to leakage and re-examination was conducted by the CBSE. Similarly, Class X Maths paper had also leaked in the same year, but it was decided not to  hold  a  re-test,  as  the  alleged  leak  seemed  very  restricted  in  spread.  Further,  the statistical  analysis  of  trends  of  evaluation  in  Class  X  Mathematics  on  randomly  basis showed no unusual gains in respect of examinees in relation to other subjects.

CBSE through Regional Director, Delhi Region lodged six complaints with Delhi Police to investigate the matter and find out the culprits who compromised the sanctity of  examinations  and  the  credibility  of  the  Board.  The  Delhi  Police  formed  a  Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. The Delhi Police has informed the Board that a Centre Superintendent of an exam centre in Una, Himachal Pradesh, his two accomplices as well as the Bank Officer of the Custodian Bank were arrested for leaking the class X Maths and class XII Economics paper. Similarly, the Principal and two teachers of Mother Khazani Convent School in Delhi along with the owner of Easy coaching Institute were arrested in Delhi for leaking the class X Maths paper. The CBSE has  disaffiliated  the  schools  concerned  for  compromising  with  the  sanctity  of  the examination.

(d): The following measures have been taken by CBSE:

-  Board  has  updated  its  system  based  on  the  recommendations  of  High  Power Committee to make it more robust.
-  CBSE has taken the help of ICT.
-  Centre Superintendent are appointed from other schools at the self-centre.
-  Dy. Centre Superintendent are appointed at each centre irrespective of number of candidates.
-  Observers are appointed at each centre.
-  Board's officials are also deputed in sensitive cities and centres.
-  No communicative devices were allowed inside examination centre.
-  Last entry to the Examination Centre was made by 10.00 A.M only.
-  Candidates were instructed to appear in school uniform to appear in examinations.
-  Action against Social Media.

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