Facing flak for CBSE paper leak 2018, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has decided to conduct re-examination of CBSE Class 12 Economics paper on April 25, while the decision on mathematics re-exam has been put on hold. Both these papers were leaked before the examination. Many reports suggest that although the cases of paper leak were reported to CBSE but the board failed to act, leading to student's uproar across the country.
Initially, CBSE had denied that any papers had been leaked but on Friday, central government accepted that leaks had created a massive mess that added to the stress of lakhs of students and their parents. “We admit that there has been something grossly wrong somewhere; we need to find out where and what. Unless there is a thorough investigation we cannot reach a conclusion,” Union Education Secretary Anil Swarup told reporters on Friday.
According to Union Human Resources Development Ministry, they are still assessing the impact of CBSE Class 10 mathematics question paper leaked as initial findings suggest that it only happened in Delhi and Haryana. “The leak was restricted to Delhi and Haryana, if at all a re-exam will happen, it will happen only in these states in July. A decision will be taken on this in the next 15 days,” said Swarup.
On the question of how the government has taken a decision to conduct re-examinations, he said, “There are no perfect solutions…These decisions have been taken after intense deliberations and keeping the interest and inconvenience of a large number of students in mind.”
No leak of CBSE papers have been reported from outside India, therefore no re-exam will be held abroad. CBSE has lot of affiliated schools in Gulf countries, said MHRD. According to multiple reports, Delhi Police have interrogated many students and teachers of private coaching centers, in connection with the question paper leaks and seized over a dozen mobile phones from them.
On Wednesday, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed after the CBSE registered two cases with the Crime Branch. The papers of Class 12 Economics was held on March 26, and Class 10 Maths, held on March 28, were leaked on social media hours before the examination.
According to reports, the CBSE leaked paper, which was even circulated on social media application WhatsApp was initially sold off for Rs 35,000, but the prices later dropped to Rs 5,000. It is alleged that 1,000 students in Delhi may have accessed the paper.
As many as six students have been detained in Chatra district of Jharkhand in connection with the leak. Also, Police have asked search giant Google to trace the location from where the CBSE chairperson was sent an email on the Class X Maths paper leak.
Meanwhile as the government put the Maths retest proposal on hold, a Class X student from Kerala, Rohan Mathew, on Friday approached the Supreme Court against the re-exam.
