SC satisfied with steps taken to prevent paper leakage

New Delhi, Jan 27 (UNI) The Supreme Court has expressed satisfaction at the steps taken by the Centre and the Central Board for Secondary Education(CBSE) to check the recurring incidents of paper leakage.

While disposing of a petition filed by one Raj Kumar Gupta, the apex court observed, ''It is also further explained in regard to the several stringent measures in respect of security of the printing process, booklets, test construction security, on site security, review of administrative procedures for test administration, deployment of faculty and oversight staff, transportation security, secured internal communication systems, storage of question papers and answer sheets and security audit in a manner so as to ensure the sanctity of the examination process while at the same time not inconveniencing the student community.'' A Division Bench comprising Justices A R Lakshmanan and V S Sirpurkar further noted, ''Since adequate steps have already been taken for securing the sanctity of the admission process and by recording the confidential report submitted by the Union of India, we express our sincere hope that the steps taken by the Government conmtinued to be implemented strictly in letter and spirit.'' The PIL was filed following increasing incidents of question paper leakages of IIM and medical entrance examinations. It sought directions from the apex court so that fair and free examinations could be ensured and hardworking and honest students do not suffer for the misdeeds of unscrupulous elements.

Common Entrance Test for admission to post graduate medical science courses had to be cancelled in 2004 following allegation of paper leak and mass copying in the test.

After perusing the report filed by the government in sealed covers giving details of steps taken to plug the loopholes to make the examination system foolproof, the apex court expressed its satisfaction by observing,''We are satisfied that the Union of India has taken concrete steps in order to maintain the secrecy and sanctity of the examinations.'' UNI