CBSE turns to IITS to help keep secrets

The committee is also discussing putting in place a system that can make it easier to track the source of a leak and fix responsibility if one does take place.

“CBSE has also suggested that the system used by it for its online competitive exams could also be adopted as there hasn’t been any instances of paper leak in those,” said a second person familiar with the development. CBSE conducts competitive exams such as Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET and National Eligibility Test (NET).

The MHRD, which formed the panel, tasked it with reviewing all aspects related to security checks built in to the examination system to ensure that question papers reach the examinees without being tampered with. The panel was also asked to assess potential points of weakness in the present system of transporting question papers from the printing presses to the examination halls. “If human intervention is reduced and more technology is used to begin with, the system will become more efficient. For instance in case there is an instance of a leak in the physical process, it becomes difficult to track it,” said an IIT director who did not wish to be named as the matter is confidential. “However, in case of computer or digital information, if anyone messes with it, it immediately gets recorded and hence can be tracked. Using technology, the entire system of transportation of papers, delivery of the paper till it reaches the centres can also be checked easily. There are various options available and each has to be analysed before selecting one.”

The committee is likely to submit its report by the end of the month.