QR codes in papers to plug leaks in Andhra Pradesh SSC exams

VIJAYAWADA: AP SSC board is using advanced technology to prevent leak of secondary school certificate question papers. A unique QR code is printed at multiple locations on the SSC question paper, which helps identify the source easily in case of paper leak.
AP government faced criticism over paper leak incidents in 2022. A few government teachers were arrested for allegedly sharing question papers over WhatsApp and the management of a corporate school was booked for "sharing" question papers to its students before the commencement of the examination.
Keeping in view the previous incidents, the SSC board has now focussed on using modern technology to prevent paper leak.
As part of it, the board has introduced unique QR code for question papers. While QR codes are printed on multiple locations in the question paper, a serial number is printed on the top of every question paper. Paper leak often involves sharing the images of question paper in messaging apps and officials can simply identify the source location of question paper by scanning the QR code and verifying the serial number.
D Devananda Reddy, director of government examinations, told TOI that the board has been conducting SSC exams in a foolproof way. "Advanced technology will help us to prevent paper leak. We can identify the students whose paper got leaked, and from which the examination hall and the centre of examination, within a minute by scanning the QR code," he said.
Students' unions and teacher associations welcomed the move. "Paper leak badly affects the meritorious students. It is easy to leak question papers using the modern technology. The education department is using the same technology to control paper leak.