BHUBANESWAR, Odisha – The Odisha government has suspended Nihar Mohanty, Vice-President of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), following his arrest in connection with a major examination paper leak. The scandal, which led to the cancellation of a key teacher eligibility test for thousands of candidates, has cast a shadow over the state’s education system and raised serious questions about institutional integrity. Police allege Mohanty’s laptop was the source of the leaked paper, leading to his suspension.
The suspension of a high-ranking official at the heart of Odisha’s education system marks a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation. The case centers on the Special Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET), a crucial examination for in-service primary and upper primary school teachers. The test, scheduled for July 20, was abruptly postponed just hours before its start after handwritten copies of the question paper began circulating on social media.
The state’s Crime Branch, tasked with investigating the matter, has since arrested a total of eight individuals. Investigators have focused on a data entry operator, Jitan Moharana, who is alleged to have accessed the question paper from Mohanty’s official laptop. This breach of security protocol forms the core of the criminal case against Mohanty. The controversy has deeply impacted the careers of over 75,000 in-service teachers who had registered for the exam.
The Investigation Uncovers Procedural Breaches
The Crime Branch’s probe has exposed what authorities are calling a significant violation of standard operating procedures at the BSE. According to Crime Branch Director-General Vinaytosh Mishra, the investigation revealed that Mohanty, who was responsible for a final review of the question papers, failed to delete the digital file from his laptop as required by protocol. “He then allowed Jitan Moharana, a data entry operator with a known history of integrity concerns, unauthorized access to his laptop,” Mishra stated in a press briefing. This single lapse, according to authorities, allowed the paper to be copied and subsequently sold.
Further complicating the matter are the findings regarding communication between the two men. An analysis of call logs showed more than 100 calls between Mohanty and Moharana outside of office hours over the past three months. This suspicious communication pattern, combined with the forensic evidence from the laptop, solidified the case against the vice-president. The investigation also found that the question paper was sent to Mohanty via email from an external printing firm, a clear deviation from the secure File Transfer Protocol (FTP) that should have been used. This procedural breach, as per board regulations, raises concerns about oversight and accountability.
Accusations of Nepotism and a Shaken Public Trust
The fallout from the paper leak extends beyond procedural errors. The investigation has brought to light allegations of nepotism and a potential conflict of interest within the BSE. Reports from the Crime Branch indicate that a close relative of Mohanty and the wife of an academic officer were included in the panel responsible for setting the question paper. This alleged violation of board norms has intensified public outrage.
The Odisha education board’s credibility has been severely damaged. This incident is not the first of its kind; a similar question paper leak three years ago prompted the board to shift responsibility for exam coordination from the secretary to the vice-president—a decision now under intense scrutiny. The recurring nature of such scandals has led many to question the fundamental governance and security measures in place. Dr. Ananya Pattnaik, a senior education policy analyst at Utkal University, remarked, “These leaks are not isolated incidents; they point to a systemic failure. The continuous erosion of trust in public institutions has real consequences for students and teachers who rely on these exams for their future.”
Odisha BSE Vice President Linked to OTET Leak, Arrested by Crime Branch
Crime Branch Uncovers OTET-2025 Question Paper Leak; Six Arrested in Odisha
Odisha Crime Branch Detains Rayagada Teacher in OTET Question Paper Leak Case
The Path Forward for the Odisha Education Board
In the wake of the scandal, the BSE has announced new measures to restore faith in its examination system. The Special OTET exam has been rescheduled for August 31, with stricter security protocols in place. The board’s president, Srikant Tarai, has confirmed that new admit cards will be issued and the test will be conducted in two separate sessions to minimize the potential for malpractices.
The suspension of Nihar Mohanty is a powerful signal from the government that it is taking the allegations seriously. However, the investigation is still ongoing, with authorities suggesting that more arrests are possible as they work to unravel the full extent of the network involved in the leak. The case highlights a broader struggle in India with exam malpractice, a persistent issue that undermines the merit-based system of public appointments and educational advancement.
The scandal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by educational governance bodies in maintaining integrity in an era where digital and social media can facilitate the rapid spread of sensitive information. For the thousands of teachers awaiting the outcome of the OTET, the case represents not just a bureaucratic failure but a personal blow to their career aspirations. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the board can successfully implement the reforms needed to regain public confidence.
