How CBSE prevented board paper leaks this time
What's the story
CBSE board examinations will come to an end next week, and if all goes smoothly, there will be no paper leaks this time. Last year, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) saw a string of leaks and the Economics paper for Class XII was held again. Keeping last year's incidents in mind, this year it took multiple steps towards maintaining security of question papers.
Multiple sets
CBSE reintroduced multiple sets, started system of 30% new questions
This year CBSE reintroduced the multiple sets of question papers, after two years, and it also took extra measures to stop the leak during handling. CBSE, for the first time, added many new questions apart from making different sets. According to a CBSE official, around 30% new questions were introduced in some question papers and some other papers even had more than three sets.
QR codes
Introduced QR codes on papers, encrypted papers ready for backup
CBSE also integrated technology to track leak or protect the question papers from getting leaked. QR codes were introduced on question papers so that it would be easier to trace the source of the leak. Moreover, board also had encrypted papers ready as a backup option. "The encrypted papers can be sent to most centers online within minutes," as per a CBSE source.
Steps
Exam center superintendents were tracked, asked for pictures on WhatsApp
Moreover, the superintendents of the examination centers were tracked while carrying the papers to the center. The board kept a record of the time duration in which the superintendent reached the center and opened the papers. They were asked to send out a WhatsApp message to the monitoring room, with the pictures proving that the papers were opened at the center.
TImings
No more late entries to examination hall allowed by CBSE
Lastly, the students were given strict instructions about timings. They were asked to be seated by 10:15AM for the exam starting at 10:30AM. "Most students are now seated by 9.50AM and no movement is allowed inside the center by 10AM when the question papers are sent to the classes," said the CBSE official. Earlier, students were allowed to enter the hall 30 minutes late.
Social Media
17 links claiming original paper tracked down, FIR lodged
Above all the work at the centers, CBSE's monitoring cell also kept track of social media (YouTube and WhatsApp) and found out 17 links, which claimed to sell original board papers. An FIR was lodged on March 6 with Delhi Police. Along with this, CBSE also started a campaign to make students and parents aware about fake news and claims regarding leaked board papers.
Quote
47 links claimed to have question papers, CBSE alerts students
According to reports, a CBSE source said, "In all, we found 47 links that claim to either sell question papers and used CBSE logo to create panic and confusion among students. We have posted the links on our official website to alert students and parents."
Leak 2018
CBSE saw two paper leaks in 2018 board examination
In 2018, CBSE saw question paper leak, which impaired the quality of the 2018 board examinations. Along with Class XII Economics paper, which was again held later, Class X Mathematics paper was also leaked. The three accused involved, including two teachers and one coaching center owner, were arrested by the police later. The images of solved papers had also gone viral on the Internet.