HSC paper 'leaked', college role suspected

Mumbai: HSC board exam paper of Secretarial Practice (SP), held on March 4, is the exact replica of preliminary exam paper for the same subject held by Dalmia Lions College in Malad in January this year, it has been alleged. An anonymous letter by a parent of a student of another college has reached the Maharashtra state board, which conducts the HSC examinations, expressing his shock at the discovery. The board has instituted an inquiry into the alleged leak of the exam paper, well over two months in advance. If the college is found culpable, the board has warned of “strict action” including revoking its affiliation to the board.

“We have received the complaint from a parent who has faxed us the copy of the preliminary paper,” said VS Mhatre, divisional secretary of the Maharashtra State Board.“We are currently locating the contact details of paper setters and forwarding it to the Pune headquarters. Further inquiry and action will be taken by the Pune division.”

“Prima facie, it looks like the college’s fault. However, it is not possible to comment before any investigation. The board will take stringent action, even to the extent of disaffiliation, if evidence is found against the college,” he said. The exam, which was conducted on March 4, was for 100 marks.

In a letter written to the board, the parent who wants to maintain anonymity has said, “My daughter’s friend, a student of Dalmia Lions College, gave her a copy of the prelims paper and we were shocked to see the identical questions. This means that students of Dalmia College will have an upper hand and could get full marks in the HSC paper.”