GUWAHATI: The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) conducted the Higher Secondary (HS) First Year Economics examination on Saturday, March 22 despite the question paper being leaked and widely circulated on social media just before the test.
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The Board acknowledged the leak in an official notification, stating that it received reports about the incident at around 8 AM—just an hour before the scheduled exam at 9 AM. However, officials defended their decision to proceed, arguing that most students had either already reached their examination centers or were on their way.
A day earlier, ASSEB had cancelled the HS First Year Mathematics examination, which was scheduled for March 21, following reports of a paper leak. The Board has taken action against 15 private institutions across Assam for violating examination protocols by opening sealed question paper packets before the scheduled time.
Many have questioned why the Board did not postpone or cancel the exam to ensure fairness.
The controversy comes just a day after ASSEB had to cancel the HS First Year Mathematics examination, which was scheduled for March 21, due to a similar leak. The Board issued an order suspending the affiliations of 15 private institutions across Assam, accusing them of violating exam protocols by breaking the sealed question paper packets before the scheduled date.
Among the institutions penalised are Azad Anchalik Jatiya Vidyalay (Barpeta), Edith Douglas HS School (Cachar), Presidency Sr. Sec. School (Dhemaji), and Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia Sr. Sec. School (Nagaon). FIRs have been lodged against these schools, and they have been barred from admitting students in Class XI for the 2025-26 academic session. However, students currently enrolled in Class XI will be allowed to continue their studies.
ASSEB has instructed all inspectors of schools and principals of lead colleges to investigate the Economics paper leak and submit recommendations for further action. While students and parents demand a re-examination, the Board has not yet made any announcements regarding a possible retest.
