Dharmshala, May 22
A major controversy has erupted in the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) after a forensic investigation confirmed tampering with Class 10 board examination answer sheets at an examination center in Bilaspur district. The Board has assured full academic relief to affected students and has initiated strict action against those responsible.
HPBOSE Chairman Dr. Rajesh Sharma said the incident occurred during the March 2025 matriculation examinations at the Government Senior Secondary School examination center in Jhandutta. A total of 40 students had appeared at the center, including 11 students from Government High School Jeora.
The issue surfaced after nine students of the Sub Art-A subject lodged written complaints alleging tampering in the MCQ section of their answer sheets. Following the complaints, the Board summoned the students to its headquarters in Dharamshala in October 2026, where experts examined the answer sheets.
The answer sheets were later sent to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Dharamshala. According to the forensic report, the allegations of tampering were found to be true.
Further investigation by a special committee constituted by the Board revealed another serious lapse. The serial numbers of the “tamper-proof” envelopes used to pack the answer sheets did not match those recorded in the official packing memo, indicating possible envelope interchange either at the examination center or afterward.
Calling the matter extremely serious, Dr. Rajesh Sharma stated that students should not suffer because of administrative irregularities or misconduct. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the Board has decided to grant full benefit or marks to affected students for the tampered questions to ensure their results and academic future remain protected.
The Board has also forwarded the complete investigation report and supporting documents to the Education Department for strict legal and departmental action against those involved.
Dr. Sharma reiterated that HPBOSE remains committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and credibility in the examination process and warned of stringent action against anyone found guilty of compromising the integrity of board examinations.
