Leak-hit CBSE to hold two tests anew; SIT probe on

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said on Wednesday that the Class X mathematics and Class XII economics exams will be held again in India and abroad following reports of paper leak on WhatsApp.

The CBSE's move means altogether 22 lakh students — more than 500,000 students in Class XII economics and about 17 lakh in Class X maths — will have to take the tests again. A total of 28 lakh students are taking this year's Class X and Class XII CBSE board exams that began on March 5. This is a second such case to have been reported in a fortnight.

The Delhi police registered two FIRs for both cases following a complaint from the top education body on Wednesday about the leaks reported from a couple of schools in Delhi. Retest dates are likely to be announced on CBSE's website within 10 days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar, conveyed his unhappiness and called for strict action.

Students appeared for the mathematics paper on Wednesday, while the economics paper was held on Monday. A hand written question paper of economics allegedly circulated on WhatsApp a day before the exam. Many questions were the same as those in the actual exam. On Monday, CBSE had denied the leak claims.

Javadekar later addressed a press conference and said the matter is being seriously looked into.

"Seems some organised gangs are doing it deliberately. Whosoever is doing it will be identified and caught soon. They have no right to play with the lives of children," he said.

"We have also decided to tighten security for the time when papers are being distributed," he said, adding that the Cabinet has given its nod to a National Testing Agency that will come into effect next year to stop such leaks.

However, this agency will conduct medical and engineering entrance exams.

He admitted that leaks happened on WhatsApp and said the government has deployed a special Delhi police team to investigate the case. He confirmed that the PM had called him. He said Modi has "always given a lot of importance to fair examinations".

"I want to tell parents and children that it is extremely unfortunate that this incident happened. We will ensure no injustice is caused."

"With the help of technology we will device a system which will make paper leaks impossible in the future," he said.

Leaks have been reported only from a couple of schools in Delhi, he said, adding that CBSE has assured to take concrete steps.

Earlier in the day, CBSE said it has taken cognizance of "certain happenings in the conduct of certain examinations as are being reported."

"With the view to upholding the sanctity of the Board examinations and in the interest of the fairness to the students, the Board has decided to reconduct the examinations in the subjects," a CBSE statement said.

The first FIR was registered on Tuesday regarding the economics paper. The second case was lodged on Wednesday about the Mathematics paper. A special investigation team has been constituted. Two DCPs, four ACPs and five Inspectors will do the investigation led by the Joint Commissioner of Police (crime).

The cases have been registered for criminal breach of trust, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. "We have received snapshots of WhatsApp chats circulation from the complainant," said Special Commissioner of Police (crime) RP Upadhyay said.

The class XII accountancy question paper was also allegedly leaked on WhatsApp, hours before the examination began on March 15, a claim CBSE had denied but promised police action and an investigation. But no retest took place in that case.