CBSE joins hands with Microsoft for preventing question paper leaks
After facing embarrassment and criticism following the leak of Class 10 and 12 exam papers earlier this year, the CBSE, in a bid to prevent such instances in the future, has partnered with tech giant Microsoft. The CBSE said that Microsoft had, within just three months, developed an encrypted security solution that would provide near-foolproof security to digital question papers. Here's what we know.
CBSE's woes, Microsoft's solution
Microsoft's solution will supposedly make CBSE's digital question papers leak-proof, till 30 minutes prior to the start of exams. The system essentially allows the Controller of examinations to track the paper delivery process via an Office 365-based software wherein individual examiners will have to identify themselves via two-way authentication before they can download question papers. Various authentication processes like OTP, biometrics are supported.
Additional benefits of Microsoft's system
Once a CBSE administrator authorizes the distribution of examination papers, emails are generated to respective centers with a link to Microsoft OneDrive, wherein exam specific question papers are stored. This system will lead to significant time and cost savings.
The solution is undergoing a pilot run now
In July, Microsoft and CBSE pulled off the first-ever pilot of Microsoft's digital paper generation and delivery process across 487 centers for Class 10 compartment examinations. Currently, Microsoft is doing its pilot run, but has reportedly passed its first test with flying colors. However, the system won't be effective if papers are leaked in the 30 minute pre-examination window.
Looks like the CBSE is finally responding to criticism
CBSE's efforts to leak-proof its papers comes after the leaks of the Class 10 Mathematics and Class 12 Economics paper sparked a nation-wide outrage. Notably, the CBSE has also been left red-faced in other departments like marking too, and might have to pick its game up in those spheres as well.
