NIOS which is an autonomous body working under the HRD Ministry is the largest Open School Board in the world. (Representative Image: Express Photo)

On finding that hundreds of candidates from Madhya Pradesh passed the open school examination without even appearing for them, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has written to the Human Resource and Development Ministry, reports Indian Express. NIOS has sought for an investigation by “vigilance agencies”. The board has found irregularities in the Class X and Class XII results announced this year. The Chairman of NIOS, Chandra B Sharma confirmed having written to the HRD Ministry. The chairman told the Indian Express that he has recommended a thorough investigation by the Centre into the matter. He further said that some serious irregularities were found across three NIOS examination centres including Ratlam, Umaria and Sehore in Madhya Pradesh.

The chairman refused to name the vigilance agency he has sought for the probe into the matter. Indian Express sources in the HRD Ministry confirmed to having received Sharma’s letter. The ministry has said that they are looking into the matter.

The Board had set up a three member inquiry committee late June to look into the matter. The board has also withdrawn the results of over 1,000 students on suspicion of having skipped the examination.

Arvind Kejriwal led AAP, in a press conference that was held in Bhopal had alleged that around 1,200 candidates from the state were absent on the day of the exam but have been declared “passed”. The party leaders, according to the Indian Express report had also shared the attendance sheet of candidates enrolled in the three NIOS centres.

The attendance sheet and the number of students declared passed show major disparity.

Interestingly, NIOS which is an autonomous body working under the HRD Ministry is the largest Open School Board in the world. According to the report, more than 2 lakh candidates appeared for the secondary and the senior level examinations.