Odisha Matric Exam: Change in protocol to check question paper leak

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to put a check on incidents of question paper leak, Odisha government has brought some changes in the ‘protocol’ for the conduct of the annual matriculation examination starting from February 22. As per plans, the question papers will be despatched to examination centres from nodal centres on the day of examination, informed Odisha Chief Secretary AP Padhi today after reviewing the preparations for the matriculation examination, which is conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha.

“Earlier, the question papers were despatched the night before the examination, but this year we have decided to send question papers from nodal centres on the day of the examination,” said Padhi.

Padhi further stated that all the district collectors and SPs have been asked to upgrade security arrangements at all the nodal and examination centres.

“The question papers will be sent to examination centres between 6 AM and 8: 30 AM on the day of the exam. Besides, we have also decided to install CCTV cameras in 350 examination centres and nodal centres mostly at places which have a history of malpractice,” said Pradipta Mohapatra principal secretary of Odisha School and Mass Education department.

Mohapatra informed that the examination centre superintendents have been instructed to keep the question papers in safe custody. Moreover, all the question paper packets will be opened in front of the students before the start of the examination, he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the annual matric examination for class X students will be conducted from February 22 till March 8, 2019. As per reports, 5,45,364 students will appear for the examination in 2,830 centres across the State.