Lok Sabha Question No. 3855 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Mechanism to Monitor Fake Question Papers Leak
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3855 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## Mechanism to Monitor Fake Question Papers Leak

## †3855. Shri Imran Masood:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  put  in  place  a  comprehensive  mechanism  to  monitor question paper security, fake leak rumours and unsubstantiated claims circulating on social media in the wake of Class ten and Class twelve Board Examinations, 2026;
- (b) if so, the number of such cases wherein formal action has been taken against attempts to leak fake papers;
- (c) whether the Government has provided official information and complaint mechanism to  students,  parents  and educational institutions for the said examinations and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government can ensure that more stringent regulatory measures would be taken in future to maintain the integrity of the Board examinations; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e): Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. States/UTs have recognised Education Boards and these boards operate within the legal framework of each State where its affiliated schools function, maintaining compliance with local education laws and regulations while providing standardised examination services. Also, the preparation and implementation of laws related to State Boards, Private Broads etc. lie within the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments/Education Department.

As  far  as  Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  is  concerned,  CBSE  has established  a  multi-layered  security  mechanism  to  ensure  the  confidentiality,  integrity,  and safe handling of question papers at every stage, from development to distribution. The major safeguards in place are as follows:

- i. Standard Operating Procedures have been developed for each step from development to distribution.
- ii. Each Question Paper is embedded with many security features.
- iii. Special packing
- iv. Secured transportation.
- v. Secured storage
- vi. Monitoring of material using technology.

About 20 instances of misinformation and attempts to circulate rumours were reported during the examination period. Concerned media platforms were requested to remove such videos, and were promptly removed.

Further, an Advisory on circulation of fake information and rumours ahead of CBSE Board  Examinations  2026  hasbeen  issued  for  parents,  students,  schools  and  all  other stakeholders  to  remain  vigilant  and  not  to  be  misled  by  unverified  news/rumours  or  fake news.

CBSE proactively meets with Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTIn) and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) along with representatives of major social media platforms to deliberate on mechanisms to identify and curb the spread of fake news related to examinations.

The Board has a dedicated team monitoring any such misleading and fake content, taking  up  the  issue  with  social  media  handles,  getting  such  content  removed  and  directly communicating with stakeholders through Circulars and media briefings whenever essential.

CBSE  undertakes  appropriate  action  against  defaulting  individualsto  maintain  the integrity of Board examinations as and when essential.

As regards National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), NIOS Public Examinations are scheduled to begin from the 2 nd week of April 2026.

To eliminate the risk of leaks during physical transit or long-term storage, NIOS has shifted  to  a Digital  Delivery System .  Question  papers  would  not  be  sent  as  physical  hard copies weeks in advance. Instead, they would be supplied through a secure Online Mode . Designated examination centers can only download the question paper on the actual day of the  examination at  a  specified  time  (just  before  the  commencement).  The  printing  of  the Question Paper occurs locally at the center under strict supervision, ensuring that the paper is not exposed to the public or unauthorized personnel until minutes before the exam begins.

## NIOS mechanism for Monitoring Fake Rumours & Social Media Vigilance:

-  A dedicated monitoring cell to track and debunk "fake leak" claims.
-  Official advisories urging  learners and  stakeholders  not  to  indulge in or believe unsubstantiated claims.
-  Specialized  email  and  reporting  channels  for  public  to  flag  suspicious  links  or  groups claiming to sell leaked papers.
-  A "Zero Tolerance" policy toward those disrupting the examination process.
-  Instructions to all learners to rely exclusively on the official NIOS website (nios.ac.in) for updates.
-  A direct line of communication with Regional Centres and Study Centres to ensure that any  genuine  issue  is  clarified  immediately,  preventing  a  minor  glitch  from  being misinterpreted as a "leak" by social media influencers.

NIOS establishes control rooms in all its NIOS Regional Centres and at its Headquarters. The Email addresses and the Contact numbers of these control rooms are shared among all the stake holders and General Public.

As far as Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is concerned, the Board has taken the following steps to ensure fair and smooth conduct of the ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) Examinations:

- i. Storage of Question Papers with third party custodian i.e. Nationalised and Scheduled Banks.
- ii. Question Papers are handled only by the Authorised Representative of CISCE in the presence of the Examination Centre In-charges.
- iii. Question  Papers  are  allowed  to  withdraw  from  the  Bank  only  01  hour  before  the Commencement of the examinations. Also guidelines  have  been  issued  for  its  safe handling and opening before commencement of the examination.
- iv. The entire movement of confidential materials from the custodian bank to examination hall is tracked through a mobile application.
- v. The Question Papers are opened by Chief Supervising Examiner in the presence of Invigilators and students under CCTV surveillance.
- vi. Entire CISCE examination is conducted under CCTV surveillance and centres have to maintain the recording up to 60 days after the declaration of results for verification purpose.
- vii. Wherever any irregularity is suspected, a Special Observer is deputed.
- viii. ⁠As a regular mechanism an Inspector is appointed for examination centres for random verification to ensure smooth, fair and safe conduct of the examinations.
- ix. Whenever  any  complaint is received regarding the conduct of examinations, appropriate steps are initiated by the Board, after verification of the genuineness of the complaint.

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