HSLC 2023: SEBA Postpones MIL/English (IL) Exam After Paper Leak Exposed

The Board of Secondary Education Assam (SEBA) has announced that the examination of all MIL/English (IL) subjects of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Class 10 examinations will be held on April 1, 2023. The exam was initially scheduled for March 18, 2023, but was canceled after a question paper leak.

The decision was taken in view of the ongoing police investigation into the matter and to avoid holding the examination in a compromised situation, according to a notification from SEBA dated March 17.

The question paper leak came to light after one of the suspects who was arrested for his role in leaking the General Science question paper earlier confessed to authorities about leaking the Assamese language paper as well.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had directed SEBA to reschedule the exams and ordered a probe into the incident. He tweeted: “It has been brought to my notice that the arrested accused center in charge of Luhit Khabalu HS School has, during interrogation, confessed of leaking Assamese paper as well. In view of this, I have advised SEBA to reschedule the Assamese exam also.”

SEBA has rescheduled the exam of all MIL/English (IL) subjects on 1st April, 2023. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held on 18 March, 2023.@himantabiswa ⁦@CMOfficeAssam⁩ pic.twitter.com/2jcQrfVJaC
— Ranoj Pegu (@ranojpeguassam) March 17, 2023

The notification from SEBA read: “This is to notify to all concerned that in view of the ongoing Police Investigation regarding the leakage of Question paper of the HSLC Examination 2023, and in order to avoid holding of examination of MIL subjects in a compromised situation, the Board of Secondary Education, Assam has decided to reschedule the Examination of MIL/English (IL) subjects earlier scheduled to be held on 18th March 2023.”

“The Examination of MIL/English (IL) subjects will now be held on 1st April 2023 from 9.00 am onwards in all centers of the state of Assam,” it added.

The question paper leak has sparked outrage among students, parents and teachers, who have demanded strict action against those involved and called for reforms in the examination system.

A student who did not wish to be named said: “We are very disappointed and angry with this incident. We have been studying hard for months and now have to wait another two weeks for our exam. This is unfair and unjust.”

A teacher from a government school said: “This is a serious breach of trust and integrity. The culprits should be punished severely and steps should be taken to prevent such incidents in future. The quality and credibility of education are at stake here.”

SEBA has assured that it will take all necessary measures to ensure the smooth conduct of exams and safeguard students’ interests.

Also Read: HSLC Paper Leak: CM Himanta Directs SEBA to Cancel Assamese Paper