Confusion over 'encrypted' question papers leaves CBSE examinees perplexed

With just one dummy run, the system was implemented on Monday, and it faced multiple glitches.

With limited time to understand and implement the robust "leak-proof" system, schools on Monday struggled, and the exam was delayed at a few centres. However, students were compensated for the lost time.

Hundreds of students in Delhi sat in classrooms waiting for question papers as the first CBSE exams for Classes 10 and 12 since last week's paper leaks were delayed by more than an hour in confusion over a new "URL-based" delivery system to ensure maximum security. Officials from many schools collected question papers around 11 am — at least 30 minutes after the exams were to start.

The CBSE sent a confidential note to all examination centres in Delhi on Saturday, which carried a set of ten instructions to be followed to introduce the new system.

The instructions issued by the board to the centres included identifying a safe and secure room for installation of computers and printers and ensuring high-speed internet connection.

All computer teachers/staff were supposed to report to the examination centre by 7:30 am on all exam days to handle downloading and printing of the encrypted question papers.

The schools were also asked to arrange adequate A4 sheets — at least ten pages per candidate.

"On exam day, the question paper will be available on the CBSE website. The same user ID and password as used for registration can be used. After downloading the zip file of the question paper, the centres have to use the password provided by the regional office minutes before and extract it," the note read.

The schools were also supposed to send details of the number of printers, computers installed, the name of the computer staff or teacher in charge by 4 pm on Sunday.

In a related development, the Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a batch of petitions challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) decision to re-conduct maths exams for Class 10 after its question paper was leaked on March 28.

The bench headed by the Chief Justice Dipak Misra said on Monday decided to take up the matter after it was mentioned for an urgent hearing.

Besides challenging the re-conduct of the exam, the petitioners have sought a probe into the leak and declaration of results by exams already conducted.