While CBSE Denies it, Sisodia Says ‘Leaked’ Paper Matches Real One

Reports surfaced on 15 March that the Class XII Accountancy question paper had been leaked on social media.

Representational image of students appearing for exams. 

(Photo: PTI)

Hours after reports surfaced saying that the Class XII Accountancy question paper has been leaked on social media, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) denied the leak. However, countering the CBSE's stand, Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia told The Indian Express that the leaked question paper matches with set-II of the CBSE paper.

I had asked the Secretary and Directorate of Education to check and it is confirmed, the questions match with the set-II.

Manish Sisodia to <i>The Indian Express</i>

Moreover, both The Indian Express and CNN-News18 claim to have accessed the paper reportedly circulating on social media, and have said that it matches with the one that was handed out to students for their examinations on Thursday, 15 March.

In an email statement, CBSE Public Relations Officer Rama Sharma said: “There has been no leakage of the question paper. All the seals have been found intact at all the Exam centres”.

“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. CBSE has decided to take strict action against such activities. FIR is being lodged by CBSE today (15 March)”.

The board said it has approached the police against those spreading the "false" news.

Police officials, however, said they have not received any complaint yet, reported PTI.

Leak Was Traced to New Delhi’s Rohini

The CBSE statement came hours after reports that the Accountancy question paper was leaked a few hours before the examination on Thursday. As per initial reports, the leak had been traced to New Delhi’s Rohini area; the question paper was reportedly circulated on WhatsApp.

Earlier, Sisodia had said, “We received complaints of Class 12 CBSE Accountancy paper being leaked. Asked officers of Directorate of Education to investigate and lodge complaint with CBSE. Swift action must be taken so that hard-working students don't suffer due to negligence of CBSE”.

A CBSE panel conducted a review meeting to look into leak.

CBSE Issued a Circular on 4 March Asking Examination Halls to Remain Vigilant

On 4 March, just ten days before the leak, the CBSE issued a circular to all examination centres warning examination halls to remain vigilant. The CBSE said it had found that certain elements were attempting to impersonate the board and gain access to question papers.

The circular, as published on the website, reads: “ 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.

K K Choudhary, Controller of Examinations

(Photo Courtesy: cbse.nic.in)

(With inputs from PTI)