In a major development related to the ongoing investigation into the PAT paper leak case, authorities have banned 12 YouTube channels accused of circulating leaked exam content. The action is part of a broader crackdown as police and educational authorities continue to probe the integrity of recent school examinations across Maharashtra.
The issue came to light during the recently conducted PAT exams for Classes 3 to 9, when large-scale instances of paper leaks were reported. Similar cases had already marred the exams for Classes 9 to 12, highlighting a troubling trend. Despite ongoing efforts to curb such malpractice, the problem persists — raising concerns over the long-term impact on students who achieve inflated scores through unfair means.
A formal complaint was lodged at Vishrambaug Police Station in Pune regarding the PAT paper leak. According to the complaint filed by Sangeeta Shinde, Assistant Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), over 3 crore question papers were distributed to more than 1 crore students across the state. These papers were dispatched through a private cargo company to the education officers in each district.
Taking swift action, the police have already banned 12 out of 21 YouTube channels that were allegedly involved in sharing the leaked content. The update was provided by Rahul Rekhawar, Director of SCERT Maharashtra, who stated that an investigation is also underway into the cargo company responsible for distributing the papers.
Rekhawar assured that the remaining 9 YouTube channels involved in the leak would be banned soon, and strict measures would continue to be enforced to ensure the credibility of the examination process.
The incident has once again put the spotlight on the challenges faced by educational institutions in securing large-scale examinations in the digital era, and the urgent need for robust systems to prevent leaks that compromise students’ futures.