Nagpur police have intensified their probe into the circulation of the Maharashtra HSC Class 12 Chemistry question paper during the 2026 board exams. What began as a routine invigilation check has uncovered a network involving private coaching centres, WhatsApp groups and quick sharing of exam content. The incident has sparked debate over exam security in a high-pressure system.
How the Breach Came to Light
On 18 February at St Ursula Girls High School in Nagpur, invigilators spotted a female student lingering in the washroom for an extended period during the Chemistry exam. A search of her phone revealed images of the full question paper plus possible answers. The device also contained the Physics paper from 16 February. Both appeared in a WhatsApp group called XII with about 19 members just minutes before the papers were distributed.
Arrests and Emerging Network
A five-member special investigation team moved fast. Four adults now face arrest: Nishikant Mool, who runs a small coaching setup in Mankapur; Mustafa Khan, director of a prominent academy in Mominpura; his employee Junaid Mohammad; and student Farhan Akhtar, accused of supplying keys. A minor student stands as co-accused for unfair means. Investigators believe papers were photographed inside centres soon after sealed packets opened, then forwarded through coaching channels. Raids continue with focus on call data, chats and possible payments. Some accounts suggest over 50 students accessed the material.
The racket seems to link multiple centres.
Board Rules Out Re-Exam
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education holds firm. Officials argue circulation stayed confined to a small group and occurred after students sat for the exam. They classify it as limited exposure rather than a widespread leak. No re-test for Chemistry or Physics. The board filed its own FIR, started an internal review and vows exams proceed uninterrupted.
This stance draws mixed reactions.
Coaching Sector in the Spotlight
Private tuitions dominate HSC preparation in Maharashtra. Families invest large sums for perceived advantages. The case exposes risks when some operators allegedly exploit insider access or school ties. Police hunt for connections between tuition staff and exam handlers. Broader calls grow for tighter regulation of coaching institutes.
Strain on Student Confidence and System Fairness
Honest candidates feel unsettled. They toil for months only to question if results stay fair. Parents debate whether limited reach spared most or eroded trust anyway. The episode underscores smartphone vulnerabilities in sealed-exam setups. Authorities talk of enhanced frisking, CCTV and digital monitoring ahead.
The full trail may reveal more layers. For now police dig deeper while the board safeguards the ongoing process. In a state where board marks shape futures, such incidents remind everyone that integrity demands relentless effort against shortcuts and tech-enabled risks.
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