TNPSC mulls encrypted papers to curb leaks

Chennai:

In a bid to curb the leakage of question papers, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission is working on various measures including transmitting electronically encrypted question papers to the examination centres as well as planning computer-based examinations, according to TNPSC chairman R Natraj.

Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to former director general of police K Mohandas on Saturday, Natraj said one of the options include transmitting question papers electronically which will be encrypted and sent to the centres. It will then be decoded at the centre and then printed using high speed printers two hours before exams.

He said this will be a herculean task and is feasible only at the centres where the applicants are less as each question paper contains 60 to 70 pages and printing it will consume huge time.  Secondly for the computer-based test, it is planned to transmit it 10 minutes before the exam. It will be decoded at the centre by students. It depends on infrastructure and all the computers have to be sanitized which is a mammoth task, Natraj added. He said many more options are being considered to conduct fool-proof exams.

He also said Group II examinations, which were cancelled following the question paper leak, would be conducted on November 4.

Earlier, delivering the presidential address to mark the fifth anniversary of B Force, a non-profit charitable trust to provide and facilitate police personnel and their families with medical assistance, Natraj highlighted the challenges police face in taking decisions in difficult times.

The former director general of police, who himself faced numerous challenges while handling the Sri Lankan refugees in the 80s, said that police force face the problem when to administer force during a difficult problem.   

“Police has to take that unpopular decision at the right time,” the former Chennai police commissioner said.

Interestingly, his comments come in the wake of US consulate security being breached after it was attacked by a mob protesting against a controversial film.

The former DGP highlighted how within 10 days he cracked a case relating to Chennai airport blast that claimed the lives of 37 people.

The TNPSC chairman also presented the K Mohandas memorial award, instituted in the year 2011, to V Vaikunt, former DGP of Tamil Nadu, for his contribution to the social causes.