AI Cheating Epidemic Hits West Bengal's Madhyamik Exams with 31 Cancellations
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) is grappling with an unprecedented cheating crisis during the Madhyamik examinations for Class 10, as students increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) tools to bypass strict anti-cheating measures. With 31 exam cancellations already recorded this year, officials report a surge in sophisticated methods, including AI-generated answers and concealed smartphones.
Rising Incidents of AI-Assisted Cheating
On a recent Saturday, the Board caught 12 candidates with mobile phones during the geography examination, many of whom were actively using AI applications to find answers. In one alarming case, a student input exam questions into an AI tool and distributed the responses to peers via messaging groups. President Ramanuj Gangopadhyay highlighted this trend, stating, "This year, the use of artificial intelligence is clearly visible in cheating cases. This group cheating phenomenon is entirely new and concerning."
Diverse Cheating Tactics Uncovered
Students have employed various tactics to smuggle electronic devices into exam halls. Some hid smartphones in toilets, while others concealed them in shoes or undergarments. One candidate was apprehended by an invigilator while attempting to retrieve a hidden phone. Additionally, a unique method involved students bringing previous years' question papers to the center, using toilet breaks to swap papers and consult AI apps for answers.
Geographically, cheating incidents have been widespread. Four candidates from Garden Reach Kesoram Cotton Mills High School were caught at Badartala High School in Kolkata, with others apprehended in Cooch Behar, North 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Hooghly, Bankura, Birbhum, and West Burdwan. The Board has enforced strict penalties, cancelling the entire examination for anyone found with a mobile phone.
Teacher Misconduct and Vandalism Incidents
Beyond student cheating, a mathematics teacher at BSS High School in Mathurapur, South 24 Parganas, faces suspension after being caught on CCTV allegedly providing answers during a history exam. He fled when confronted, and the Board has promised legal action. In a separate incident, candidates from Khanna High School were accused of vandalizing Momin High School in Kolkata, damaging property including a bent fan blade, though no formal complaint has been filed.
Further irregularities emerged at Maheshwar High School in Hooghly, where a student, only eligible for Bengali and Mathematics exams, was found participating in all tests. This has triggered a departmental inquiry against the venue supervisor for oversight failures.
Strict Exam Protocols and Statistics
The WBBSE has banned all electronic devices in exam halls, including mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and earbuds. Violations result in device confiscation and exam cancellation. Invigilators are also prohibited from carrying electronics, with only admit cards, registration certificates, pens, and transparent clipboards allowed inside. Cloakrooms are provided outside for bags and personal items.
This year, 9,71,340 candidates are taking the Madhyamik exam, up from 9,69,425 last year, comprising 4,26,733 boys, 5,44,606 girls, and one transgender person. Exams are held across 2,682 centers in West Bengal, including 945 main centers and 1,737 sub-centers. On Saturday, 55 candidates took exams at hospitals, with separate arrangements made for two ill students.
The Board continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for vigilance to maintain exam integrity amidst evolving technological threats.
