BJD Raises Alarm Over Frequent Question Paper Leaks in Odisha: Is the BJP Government Failing?

Concerns Over Examination Integrity in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Following allegations of question paper leaks during the recent Post Graduate medical MD/MS examinations, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to uphold the integrity of the examination system in Odisha.

The opposition party highlighted that there have been 23 reported incidents of question paper leaks in the two years since the BJP took office, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged leak of the Medical PG examination.

During a press briefing at Sankha Bhawan, BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahu and Vice-President Pratap Jena criticized the state government for the purported leak of the Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS) Medical PG examination conducted on July 27.

Sahu pointed out that such leaks have become alarmingly frequent, not just in Odisha but across the nation.

He likened the situation to the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that the term 'Indian Paper Leak (IPL)' has emerged due to the regularity of these incidents.

Sahu claimed that during the Medical PG examination, the question paper was allegedly shared via WhatsApp while the test was ongoing, with answers also being circulated among candidates.

Senior BJD leader Jena expressed that the NEET question paper leak had already shocked the nation, and the recent allegations regarding the Medical PG examination have only intensified public concern.

He recalled that following the NEET controversy, the central government introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which mandates strict penalties for those involved in such leaks.

In December 2024, the Odisha Assembly enacted a similar law, the Odisha Public Examinations (Prevention Of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aimed at preventing these offenses.

Despite these stringent laws, Jena argued that the frequency of paper leaks persists, with 23 irregularities reported during the BJP's tenure. He attributed this to the government's inability to effectively manage the examination system.

Jena called for the state government to provide a transparent explanation, initiate a thorough investigation, and impose strict penalties on those responsible.