TV
The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, has transferred six officials following the abrupt cancellation of the Special Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET)-2025 that was scheduled to be held on July 20. The board informed this development via a circular released internally on Thursday.
Nearly a week after the incident, the BSE released an internal office order transferring six officials, including staff from the confidential and coordination sections of the board.
The stated reason was to strengthen branches involved in the examination process. However, all officials have been transferred internally within the BSE office, raising questions over whether the reshuffle addresses the core issue of exam security.
Administrative Reshuffle
The officials reshuffled include Aurobinda Acharya, who has been shifted from the Confidential-I Section to the RTI Cell, and Dillip Kumar Singh, moved in the reverse direction.
Sudip Roul has been transferred to the Secret Section, while Pravat Kumar Bhoi has been reassigned to Confidential-II. Assistant Secretary Bikram Keshari Pattanaik, previously overseeing Coordination and Certificate-II Sections, has now been posted to Confidential-I.
In turn, Lipika Singh from the Finance Section has been assigned the additional charge of Certificate-II. Senior Assistant Ashok Kumar Samal has also been moved to the Coordination Section.
Notably, despite their proximity to the examination process, none of the senior officers overseeing OTET administration have been held accountable. No explanation has been issued publicly, and there has been no confirmation of an internal probe.
Exam Cancellation Sparked Fury
Notably, the July 20 exam was called off late the previous night without any prior warning, triggering outrage among the 75,403 in-service primary teachers who had registered for it.
The cancellation came after alleged images of what appeared to be Paper I and Paper II of the OTET began circulating on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Though candidates immediately pointed out similarities between the leaked papers and previous exam formats, the BSE issued no official explanation in the notice that was hastily pasted outside examination centres across the state.
Many candidates, who had already reached their centres and arranged accommodation, were caught off guard and left stranded.
As of now, the BSE has not issued any timeline for the rescheduling of the Special OTET. The board has also not clarified whether the circulated images were authentic or how the breach if confirmed, took place.
