TNPSC plans to go hi-tech to plug loopholes: Encrypted, computer-based question paper system coming

Stung by the question paper leak that led to the cancellation of the Group-II Services examination, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has decided to introduce encrypted and computer-based question paper system. The move is expected to do away with manually printed question papers in a phased manner. Tenders would be floated shortly to finalise the company that specialises in the concept of online/system-based question papers, TNPSC sources said on Wednesday. To start with, the commission would employ cloud technology and load encrypted question papers that can be accessed by examination centres a couple of hours before the scheduled examination. Question papers would be printed on-the-site and given to the candidates. “This will be a fail-safe system which we will be introducing in one of the examinations shortly. The encrypted question papers would be uploaded a couple of hours ahead of the examination and all centres will have a printing mechanism,” TNPSC Chairman R. Nataraj told ‘The Hindu’ on Wednesday. He said the commission also had plans to introduce online question paper system. Though the technology was available, the availability of resources had to be assessed considering the large number of candidates appearing for TNPSC examinations. In another development, the TNPSC would introduce computer-based tests to a select few examinations. In the proposed system, candidates would be able to access the question paper on computer screens installed in the examination hall, the sources said. Source: THE HINDU