Exam Paper Leaks: A widespread challenge across Indian education systems

Paper leaks are a persistent issue not confined to major recruitment and higher education exams but also impacting school-level assessments. For instance, Bihar Board Class 10 exams have faced leaks six times, while West Bengal's state board exams have had at least 10 incidents in seven years. In Tamil Nadu, both Class 10 and Class 12 papers were leaked in 2022, reflecting widespread vulnerabilities.

Rajasthan has notably suffered numerous leaks, with more than 14 incidents reported between 2015 and 2023 across various competitive exams. The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) had to cancel exams like the senior government school teachers' general knowledge test due to leaks. Additionally, papers for UGC NET and police recruitment exams have been compromised in recent years.

Gujarat has also grappled with 14 incidents of leaks since 2014, spanning exams like GPSC chief officer, Talati tests, Teachers Aptitude Test, and others such as Mukhya Sevika and Nayab Chitnis exams.

Recent instances include leaks in exams like the head clerk (2021), GSSSB (2021), forest guard (2022), junior clerk (2023), and sub-auditor (2021) in Gujarat.

Uttar Pradesh has seen at least nine paper leaks from 2017 to 2024, affecting exams like the Inspectors Online Recruitment Test, UPTET, BEd Joint Entrance Exam, NEET-UG, and the Class 12 board exam. The Constable exam leak in 2024 impacted a staggering 48 lakh applicants, underscoring the widespread repercussions of such incidents.