In a significant development affecting hundreds of students in Odisha, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that 885 students from six schools in Bargarh district will have to reappear for their Class X and XII board examinations due to confirmed instances of malpractice. The issue has sparked widespread concern among students, parents, and school authorities, particularly as it comes at a crucial time when students are preparing for higher education and career pursuits.

According to reports, out of the total 1,085 students who appeared for the CBSE exams from these six schools, a staggering 885 were found involved in using unfair means during the examinations. The board has stated that students caught indulging in malpractice in up to two subjects will be permitted to take supplementary examinations scheduled for July 15. However, those found guilty of malpractice in more than two subjects will have to wait until next year to reappear for the exams, delaying their academic progress by at least a year.

The gravity of the situation has prompted the CBSE to take strict administrative action against the institutions involved. The board has recommended the disaffiliation of two examination centres—Padampur Public School and Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Bandupala Vidyalaya—located in the Padampur sub-division of Bargarh district. These centres were under scrutiny for reported irregularities, despite the implementation of rigorous anti-cheating measures.

The controversy stems from an earlier Times of India report that highlighted the alleged irregularities during the board exams. In response, the CBSE initiated an investigation to verify the extent of malpractice and withheld the results of the affected students until the inquiry was completed. As of now, the results remain pending, leaving students and their families in a state of limbo.

Parents and school administrators have raised serious concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the results. With college admissions, entrance exams, and other career-related decisions approaching, the delay in result publication has put considerable stress on students who had been waiting anxiously for their scores. School authorities have reported a constant flow of calls and queries from worried parents seeking clarity on the matter. However, the CBSE has not provided any specific timeline for when the results will be declared.

This year, a total of 1,00,863 students from 1,232 CBSE-affiliated schools in Odisha appeared for the Class X and XII board examinations, conducted across 490 centres. The overall pass percentage in the state stood at an impressive 92.4% for Class X and 78.74% for Class XII. However, the alleged malpractice in Bargarh has marred the overall performance narrative, bringing into question the efficacy of exam monitoring systems in place at some centres.

Amid the ongoing controversy, the CBSE has initiated the process of accepting applications for scanned copies of Class XII answer sheets. This facility allows students to review their evaluated answer scripts to ensure transparency. Interested students were required to apply by May 27, 2025, through the official CBSE website, http://cbse.gov.in. The fee for obtaining a scanned copy is Rs 700 per subject. Students can log in to the same portal to view their scanned copies once available.

Furthermore, the board has opened the window for mark verification and re-evaluation of Class XII answer sheets. This process begins on May 28 and concludes on June 3, 2025. The verification of marks costs Rs 500 per subject, while the re-evaluation charges are Rs 100 per question. These measures are aimed at addressing any potential discrepancies in the evaluation process and upholding the integrity of the examination system.

Despite these steps, the core issue of malpractice has cast a shadow over the CBSE’s reputation for maintaining high academic standards. The board’s decision to disaffiliate implicated centres and enforce supplementary exams for offenders signals a zero-tolerance approach to cheating. Yet, the broader concern remains the emotional and academic toll this situation has taken on innocent students who may have been caught in the crossfire.

As investigations continue, educationists and parents alike are calling for stronger safeguards, more vigilant monitoring, and stricter accountability to ensure such incidents do not repeat in the future. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that affected students get a fair chance to reappear for exams and continue their academic journeys without further hindrance.