In an unprecedented development, the Karnataka Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) cancelled the II pre-university chemistry examination on Thursday for the second time.
The pre-university chemistry exam was scheduled for March 21, and had been cancelled because the question paper had been leaked. Following that, the re-exam had been scheduled for March 30.
According to the latest information, 40 officials have been suspended and the re-examination is scheduled to be held on April 12 as mentioned by a press note released by Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar.
The release also said the re-examination will be organized by Ramegowda and three others. Ramegowda is a former exam co-ordinator.
However, Director Pallavi Akurathi announced that the examination was cancelled after the board discovered that the paper had been leaked in the early hours of Thursday.
The incident had triggered massive protests at the board headquarters in Bengaluru. Some of the students and parents threw stones at the building which led the police to intervene the protests.
Aatreya SS of Vijaya College, a student who appeared for the exam told The News Minute, "I feel they (board) are responsible for letting this happen. I am also preparing for Medical entrance and this will disrupt my preparation.”
Shreyas Bhat another student from VIjaya College told TNM, "We really don't want to read the exam again. There is a lot of study material and we will have to study again. The JEE exams are in April and the CET is in May. We already write the exam once, we really don't want to do this again.
Some angry students told ANI, that they are not to blame for this mishap and they are not going to appear for the exam for the third time.
A majority of the students who were to appear for the exam are also expected to appear for national level entrance exams. This delay is expected to cause disruption in their preparation for those exams,
The investigation of the leaks was handed over to the CID following state-wide protests by parents and teachers.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah told reporters, "We don't know how this happened. The last leak is being investigated by the CID and we will have them investigate this one too."
The issue has also triggered political reactions with BJP leaders holding the Congress-led state government responsible.
Union Minister Ananat Kumar told Times Now, "The state government has failed the exams twice already."