Following the leak of the question papers for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) 12th Standard economics and 10th Standard mathematics examinations earlier this week, School Education Secretary Anil Swarup said on Friday that a re-examination for economics would be held nationwide on April 25.
Rethink on math exam
There will be no re-examination for the 10th Standard mathematics paper, except possibly in Delhi/NCR and Haryana, he said.
“We will take a decision within 15 days if at all re-examination for Class 10 is to be held in Delhi/NCR and Haryana,” he said, adding that preliminary evidence pointed to a leak only in that region. “If at all the re-examination has to be held in Delhi/NCR and Haryana, it will be held in July.”
Mr. Swarup said that since there was no evidence of question papers being leaked outside India, there would be no re-examination for students of Classes 10 or 12 in CBSE-affiliated schools abroad.
Mr. Swarup told the media that the government had taken these decisions on the basis of the present evidence they have been able to get, and these were taken with the best interests of students in mind.
“There are no perfect solutions, but we have kept the best interests of students in mind,” he said.
He added that the Class-12 re-examination decision was deemed necessary since the examination is very crucial for the future of students. Sources said the CBSE had received representations from affiliated schools abroad and in India that the re-examination should take place only where the leaks took place.
Chairperson quiet
As for fixing responsibility, he said that both an internal enquiry and a police investigation were on, and he was not in a position to pronounce anyone responsible before the findings came.
CBSE chairperson Anita Karwal was present at the press conference but spoke very little.
Mr. Swarup said the CBSE chief had sent an alert about the leak of the mathematics question paper to the Controller of Examinations but the confirmation of a leak came only after 10 a.m., by which time the exam had begun. So, the announcement of a re-exam came after the exam.
Ms. Karwal said that as for the economics paper, the first alert of a leak turned out to be a hoax. “Later, we found a possibility of leak and had to announce the cancellation.”
She also said an investigation was on under an IG-level officer and the CBSE controller of examinations was cooperating with the enquiry by telling them about the whole process.
