Microsoft Builds Digital Solution to Regulate CBSE Paper Leaks

CBSE received wide criticism across the nation for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams 2018 paper leak. After the outrage, CBSE decided to use the latest technologies to prevent paper leaks in future. CBSE tested an encrypted format of question paper to prevent leaks to deal with the same. Apart from that, CBSE collaborated with tech giant Microsoft to develop an encrypted security solution for digital papers. Within three months, Microsoft has come up with a digital solution to prevent paper leaks.

Managing Director – Microsoft India (R&D), Mr. Anil Bhansali revealed that the company has come up with an innovative solution that enables question paper to become leak-proof until 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the examination. The encrypted question papers provided to each exam centre are watermarked and the system allows easy traceability if the question paper gets leaked after the exam centres are allowed to download the same, he explained.

Also Read: CBSE Denies Increase in Marks for 50% Class 12 Students after Re-Evaluation

CBSE and Microsoft have successfully tested the new system for the Class 10 compartment exams that took place in July 2018. The new system, i.e., digital question paper generation and delivery process turned out to be successful in the first attempt.

Highlights of Microsoft Digital Question Paper Generation and Delivery Process: -

• As per the new digital system, the Controller of Examinations can track the entire process through a software solution built on Windows 10 and Office 365.
• The overall process of question paper delivery is encrypted and it is embedded in the two-factor authentication process.
• Before downloading the question papers, the examiners will have to identify themselves.
• The examiners will be allowed to download the question papers after authentication only 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the exam.
• Further, the authentication process is carried out in different ways. For example, OTP (One Time Password), Biometric, Aadhaar-based authentication etc.
• The digital solution developed by Microsoft will use the features in Office 365 to encrypt and watermark the question papers.
• The watermark on the question paper varies from centre to centre. The question paper will have individual centre code imprinted on it that allows for traceability and localisation in the eventuality of a paper leak.
• The distribution of question paper will be initiated by a CBSE administrator, which results in the generation of emails to the respective centres with a link to One Drive, a popular file-hosting service operated by Microsoft.

Also Read: CBSE Denies Reports on NEET Candidates Data Breach

Apart from preventing the paper leak, the new system will save a significant amount of time and examination expenses. The new system will be implemented for CBSE board exams in 2019.

For the latest CBSE news and updates, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.