Peeved at the leak of question papers in the last two years, the pre-university education department has put in place a more improvised system this time.
According to sources, the department has installed cameras at its strong rooms. They can capture videos and alert higher-ups if anyone is moving around suspiciously.
Last year, the chemistry paper was leaked twice, forcing the department to go hi-tech to check the menace. This year, about 6.84 lakh students will appear for the exams.
The department has put in place what it calls the Karnataka Secure Examination System (KSES). The moment a camera spots any movement around the strong rooms, it will shoot a 15-second video and send it to the district police officers, additional deputy commissioners, district treasury officer, director of the PU education department and the district-level deputy director.
They will be informed in advance when the question papers are legitimately taken out. On other occasions, the KSES will be activated.
This year, question papers will be kept in the district treasuries. A biometric system has been introduced and security guards will be given identity cards, sources said.
After printing, question papers matching the number of students in a centre will be bundled and bar coded. The codes will be scanned when the papers are moved.
Earlier, exams would begin at 9 am, but this year, they will take place from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm. Students will not appear for exams in the colleges they study in. Instead, their centres will be other colleges.
The rule may be relaxed in taluks with just one college, sources said. Principals will have to display information about examination centres on their notice boards.
Exam reforms
C Shikha, director of the PU education department, said, “We have brought in many reforms in the exam system to make it foolproof. The Karnataka Secure Examination System (KSES) is a major step.”
She said nearly 70% of CCTV cameras have been installed at the strongrooms. By the end of the month, the work will be done, she said.
Published 24 February 2017, 20:18 IST