Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 22, 2025, Kolkata : In a shocking turn of events, a candidate from a Kolkata school has had all their exams cancelled after being accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) apps to answer math questions during the ongoing secondary examinations. This incident comes alongside allegations involving five other candidates who were reportedly using mobile phones during the exams, despite the strict rules set by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education.
The Board had explicitly stated at the beginning of this year’s examinations that the use of mobile phones or any electronic gadgets by students within the examination halls would result in the cancellation of all their exams for the year. The rules extended to teachers as well, who were prohibited from using mobile phones during the exam process.
However, the discovery of students using mobile phones for unauthorized assistance has raised questions about how such incidents occurred despite these stringent regulations. Furthermore, the use of AI apps has added another layer to the controversy. One particular incident involved a candidate from Badartala High School in South Kolkata, who was reportedly sending math questions to an AI app while seated at Battala High School. The app would then provide immediate solutions, which the candidate was using during the exam. Complaints have also emerged from the same examination center, alleging that some students were sending their question papers to external contacts and receiving answers via their phones.
In response to these allegations, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education confirmed that 19 candidates had their mobile phones seized during the exams, while one candidate was caught using a smartwatch. As a result of these infractions, all the exams for these accused students have been cancelled, ensuring they will not be allowed to sit for the remaining papers of this year’s secondary examination.
This series of incidents has sparked concerns among educational circles regarding the effectiveness of the Board’s measures and the growing influence of technology in examination malpractice. The Board has vowed to further tighten security and monitoring during future examinations to prevent similar violations.
