Question papers for the pre-board examinations of classes 10 and 12, conducted by the
Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE), have reportedly been leaked and widely circulated on social media platforms such as Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube. The leak, which surfaced days before the exams were set to begin, has yet again raised alarm over the state’s examination security protocols and the growing misuse of digital platforms to undermine academic processes. Local reports suggest that officials were aware of the breach but delayed taking action, further fueling public criticism.
Question papers leaked days before examsIn Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain, the pre-board question papers reportedly went viral two days before the scheduled examinations. The ease with which students accessed the leaked materials highlighted the misuse of social media and raised questions about systemic vulnerabilities.
The pre-board examinations, typically conducted at the school level to help students prepare for the board exams, are designed to assess students’ readiness and identify areas for improvement. These papers are prepared and distributed locally, with school principals downloading them from the Vimarsh portal of the state government. However, it is suspected that the leak occurred during the photocopying stage, underscoring a potential lapse in protocol.
Officials downplay the significance of the leakWhile the leak has caused an uproar among students and parents, some education authorities have dismissed its significance. According to officials, the pre-board exams are primarily a practice exercise, with no pass or fail criteria. They argued that even if students rely on leaked papers, their actual performance in the board exams would depend on their preparation.
However, critics have pointed out that such a cavalier attitude undermines the credibility of the system and demotivates students who rely on these exams for genuine practice.
Year after year: A pattern of leaksThis is not the first time question papers in Madhya Pradesh have been compromised. In 2024, three individuals were convicted for leaking board examination papers for classes 10 and 12 on Telegram. The convicts used fake MPBSE logos and circulated the papers in exchange for payments via digital wallets.
The Bhopal District and Sessions Court sentenced the culprits to two years of imprisonment under IPC sections 420 and 419, as well as Section 66 of the IT Act. One of the key accused, Kaushik Dubey, was arrested with incriminating evidence, including a bank passbook, mobile phone, and SIM cards, all used in the operation. The investigation revealed that he obtained the leaked papers from a Telegram group called "MP Board Help."