Authorities are investigating allegations that the Maharashtra Class 12 Chemistry examination paper was shared on WhatsApp before the test began in Nagpur, raising fresh concerns about the security of board examinations.

The issue reportedly came to light on Wednesday at an examination centre in the city when invigilators observed unusual behaviour by a female student during the exam. She was said to have made several trips to the washroom, prompting suspicion among the supervisory staff.

Officials later checked the student and confiscated her mobile phone. A preliminary review of the device allegedly indicated that the Chemistry question paper had been circulated in a WhatsApp group prior to the commencement of the examination. Possible answers were also reportedly shared in the same group.

The matter was subsequently reported to higher authorities, and the police were informed. Based on the student’s statement, another candidate has also come under scrutiny and is being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

Initial findings suggest that a person linked to a private coaching institute may have been involved in distributing the paper, potentially in exchange for money. However, investigators are still working to determine the exact source of the document and how it was accessed before the scheduled examination.

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has acknowledged the incident. The board has stated that it is not treating the matter as a confirmed paper leak at this stage and has not announced any re-examination.

Authorities are now focusing on tracing the origin of the circulated material and identifying any additional individuals who may have been involved. The episode has once again highlighted concerns about examination integrity and the challenges posed by digital communication platforms.

Further legal action will depend on the outcome of the investigation. If the allegations are substantiated, those found responsible could face charges related to cheating and violations of examination rules.

The Maharashtra board conducts Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations for a large number of students each year, and Chemistry is a key subject for those pursuing higher education in science and related fields.