Board Under Strain, Special OTET Exam May Be Delayed

Cuttack,8th Aug 2025: The Special OTET (Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test) question paper leak case is being investigated by the Crime Branch. While the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) is already in jail, the Chairman is currently under the scanner. Other officials, including the Exam Controller, are also under investigation.

The Crime Branch has seized computers from the Exam Controller’s room to extract digital evidence related to the leak. Many board officials and employees have come under the investigative radar.

Meanwhile, the Exam Controller and Deputy Secretary are undergoing training in Delhi, and the recently joined Editor is on leave. The Vice-Chairman, who had been overseeing examination responsibilities for several years, is now in jail.

Due to ongoing inquiries and repeated summons by the School and Mass Education Department, the Board Chairman has been making frequent visits to Bhubaneswar. Amidst all this, preparations for the upcoming Special OTET, scheduled for August 31, are in disarray and facing serious uncertainty.

Possibility of Postponement to September

Given the short time remaining and lack of readiness, there are discussions within the Board itself that the Special OTET might be postponed to late September. Board officials are reportedly unwilling to take risks by conducting the exam on the original date of August 31.

Following the leak incident, all employees of the Secret Section (responsible for confidential work) have been transferred, and newly appointed staff and officers have been entrusted with tasks like question paper preparation and other secretive functions.

However, due to lack of experience and the Editor being on leave, no one is confident enough to take full charge of conducting the exam.

Concern Within the Education Department

A senior official from the School and Mass Education Department said:

> “Since the Crime Branch investigation into the OTET question leak is ongoing, if the exam is rushed and something goes wrong, who will take responsibility? Hence, plans are being considered to postpone the examination.”