The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has officially canceled the Class 12 business studies exam that took place on March 23, 2025. The abrupt decision came after revelations that the question paper used in the exam was a copy of the previous year’s paper. Approximately 30,000 students enrolled in the Commerce stream participated in the examination across numerous centers throughout Rajasthan.
This cancellation was announced on March 23, following a stream of complaints that were lodged by students via the board's official helpline. Buoyed by these concerns, the RBSE launched an investigation into the matter. RBSE Secretary Kailash Chand Sharma, who addressed the situation candidly, remarked, "We get four to five sets of question papers ready and then choose anyone amongst them. A teacher did not put in the effort and sent last year’s question paper to the exam. We will soon take disciplinary action against the teacher who made this deliberate error." This statement reflects the seriousness with which the board is treating the incident.
Currently, the RBSE is facing pressure from both students and parents regarding the need for a quick resolution to this predicament. While no new date for the exam has been announced yet, it is anticipated that RBSE aims to conduct the re-examination before April 9, 2025, which is the final date by which board exams must be concluded.
The sequence of events leading to the cancellation not only highlights potential administrative failures but also stresses the importance of maintaining academic integrity. Last year, the Commerce stream boasted an impressive 98.95% pass rate, underlining the competitiveness and importance of these examinations.
Further contextualizing this issue, the RBSE has a structured schedule for senior secondary exams that continues until April 7, 2025, in a single shift running from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM. To clear the subjects, students are required to secure a minimum of 33% in each one, which adds to the anxiety surrounding this incident for those affected.
Looking back at previous performances, the last year saw the Science stream following closely with a pass rate of 97.75%, while the Arts stream had a pass rate of 96.88%. The consistent data across the years illustrates a trend of preparedness and academic success which many students hope to continue in their own performances.
In light of the current developments, RBSE's Secretary Sharma reassured concerned parties that they will act decisively against the teacher responsible for setting the repeated question paper. Disciplinary measures are forthcoming, according to his statements, which aim not only to address the current goof-up but to also prevent a recurrence in the future.
RBSE officials are scrambling to put together a new question paper and there is a consensus that it might take some time to ensure it meets the necessary standards. This situation serves as a crucial reminder about diligence in examination processes within educational institutions.
In summary, while this issue may disrupt the academic journey for many students, RBSE is working diligently to rectify the situation and maintain the integrity of the examination system. Students are advised to watch for future announcements from the board regarding new examination dates and to remain informed through the official RBSE website and communications.
