CBSE Partners With Microsoft India To Digitally Encrypt Question Papers

Microsoft India and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have partnered to digitally encrypt question papers for the class 10 and class 12 examinations. This move has been taken to enhance security over the paper leak controversy, and to ensure ‘seamless distribution of papers’, Microsoft’s website says.

How it works is that the Controller of Examinations can track the entire distribution process using a Window’s 10 and office 365 Software. When the administrator initiates the distribution of exam papers, emails will be generated to the respective centers with a link to One Drive where the exam paper can be downloaded. The solution leverages features in Office 365 to encrypt and watermark the papers. The watermark has the individual center’s code imprinted on it which allows for localization and traceability in the event of a paper leak. The administrator will be able to download the question paper only 30 minutes prior to the exam commencement.

This digitization process is reported to be time-saving and cost-cutting for exam administrators due to online paper generation, automated delivery process and reduction in approval cycles. “A strong education ecosystem is key to our nation’s development and Microsoft and CBSE are deeply committed to digitally transform the sector. Innovative implementation of technology has the potential to solve some of the most pressing issues faced by the sector. The success of this partnership with CBSE is proof of that potential. I am confident we are well on the way towards a digitally empowered education ecosystem,” said Anil Bhansali, Corporate Vice President, Cloud & Enterprise, Managing Director, Microsoft India.

Microsoft ran a pilot test in the recent Class X compartmental examinations across 487 examination centers with approximately 4,000 students. To ensure seamless adoption and familiarity with the process, multiple mock trials were conducted before the Class X compartmental exam, with the entire CBSE team including various exam centers, along with Microsoft experts. The solution was deployed by CBSE without a security breach.

“Microsoft is working closely with public and private institutions to help modernize education, impart ICT skills training and provide low or no cost technology that helps students with immersive learning, educators with engaging teaching methods, and administrators with efficient management tools”, a statement on Microsoft’s website reads.