Chemistry re-exam cancelled after paper leak in Karnataka

The chemistry examination of the second year pre-university course (PUC) on Thursday was cancelled in Karnataka after the question paper leaked, a senior official said.

"We have cancelled the exam after police alerted us that the question paper was being circulated in Bengaluru and Tumakuru," pre-university board director Pallavi Akruthi told reporters here.

Tumakuru is about 70 km from Bengaluru.

Earlier too, the chemistry exam was cancelled on March 21 following reports that the question paper got circulated in two-three districts on Whatsapp.

Karnataka Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar will announce by Thursday evening the new date for the exam, Akruthi said.

The paper leak and cancellation within 10 days after the first leak led to massive protests by students and parents at the board office here. The demonstrators demanded stringent action against the culprits.

The leak also rocked the state legislature, with lawmakers demanding Ratnakar's resignation and action against the board officials in-charge of conducting the re-exam.

At least 1.74 lakh students were to write the re-exam in the science subject for the PUC certificate, which is equivalent to 12th standard or second year intermediate course in other states.

Protests also erupted in Dharward, Hubbali, Mysuru, Chitradurga, Bagalkot and other districts, with hundreds of science students staging demonstrations against the question paper leak.