Maharashtra HSC examinations commenced with a bang on 21 February, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. starting with the English paper. However, the first paper itself was laden with errors as answers and instructions to paper checkers were printed in place of certain questions.

Read on for a deeper dive into the incident.

Three mistakes were found in the poetry section of the Std. 12 English Board question paper. Students were unable to comprehend sub-questions A3, A4 and A5 of Question 3. 
In sub-questions A3 and A5, instructions to paper checkers were printed instead of the actual questions. Sub-question A4 had the synoptic answer printed.

Students were understandably confused and panicked, seeing as this was the first Board exam paper. While a few exam takers attempted the questions despite all odds, many left them unanswered.

These questions amounted to 6 marks of the total 80-mark paper. With lakhs of students appearing for the HSC exam, competition is at an all-time high. Losing even 1 mark, especially in a language paper, wherein scoring full marks is not a possibility, takes a huge toll on a student’s academic career.

Parents and students are demanding that the state board give the 6 marks—irrespective of whether or not the question was attempted—because the error lies on their end.

The Board of Studies in English and chief moderators of all divisions are yet to convene, confirm the issue and announce their final decision. In an interview with the Free Press Journal, State Board Secretary Anuradha Oak assured students that the Board will take the right decision.

Click here to see the 2023 HSC English Board Question Paper.

Find Previous Years’ Board Question Papers here.

Stay tuned for further updates.