CBSE Class 12 Accountancy paper 'leak' on WhatsApp in Delhi raises serious concerns

As Class 12 students were taking their CBSE Accountancy exam on March 15, there was widespread panic that the question paper had been leaked, with Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia taking to Twitter to express concerns about the incident. While the panic gave way to apprehensions that the examination would stand cancelled in case of a paper leak, the board dismissed the allegations and attributed it to "mischief".

This comes close on the heels of the alleged irregularities of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examination that are now being probed by the CBI.

WhatsApp forwards doing rounds for days

According to reports, Manish Sisodia received a WhatsApp message containing the "leaked" question paper just a few minutes before the exam began at 10.30am on Thursday. He immediately alerted the directorate of education, Delhi, and CBSE officials. The source of the leak was traced to Rohini. This is the same WhatsApp forward that has been doing rounds since Wednesday. Not only Accountancy, there are allegations of other paper leaks, including Chemistry, as well.

The one leaked on social media on Wednesday and the one given to the students on Thursday match, according to a report of The Indian Express.

Not leak; mischief, says CBSE

Denying the allegations of any leak, the board, which also conducts NEET, said that all seals of the question papers have been found intact at all 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,” the board said in a statement. It also promised action by lodging an FIR.

However, the board’s clarification, which comes without any detailed probe, overlooks the fact that complaints of question paper leak have been floating on social media since yesterday and the leaked Accountancy paper matches the original question paper given to the students.

CBSE alerted centres against ‘mischief’

On March 4, a day before the examinations began, the board wrote to all examination centres asking them not to fall into any trap and give out copies of question papers to anyone impersonating as a board official.

“It has been observed that some elements are writing to some of the examination cntres and asking for copies of question paper for verification... the Board does not ask for any copies of the administered question paper from its examination centres,” it said in its order.

This year, there are 4,138 centres in India and 71 outside for class 12 examinations.

Question over the sanctity of examination process

While a “rumour” as such creates panic among students, there are incidents pointing to carelessness at various levels. Recently, a Delhi-based lawyer wrote to the board after he spotted sealed parcels of answer sheets being transported on the Delhi Metro. Following this, the board directed the examination centres to ensure safe delivery of answer sheets.

Also read: How violence is becoming the new normal in India