In a tweet late on Sunday night, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said the science exam scheduled for Monday was cancelled after a copy of the question paper was allegedly leaked to some candidates and media personnel.

"This is for information to all concerned that a news is telecast in a section of media today evening that a hand written model question paper of HSLC examination of General Science (C3) subject which is to be held on 13th March 2023 (Monday) is available in the hand of some candidates and is also spread (sic) in the social media," said a statement signed by NJ Sarmah, Controller of Examinations at Assam's Board of Secondary Education.

In a later tweet, Assam Director General of Police GP Singh said a criminal case has been registered and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is on the case.

"Reference media reports of leakage of General Science (C3) question paper of HSLC examination scheduled for March 13th 2023 conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Assam — A criminal case has been registered and would be investigated by CID Assam. We would bring the culprits and conspirators to law (sic)," said Singh in a tweet.

This is a second time in the past one week that an Assam board exam has been postponed over a question paper leak, according to reports. On March 7, Hindustan Times reported that the mathematics exam for class 10th was postponed after question paper was allegedly leaked in Cachar district.?

Last month, the question paper for recruitment in Assam's health department was leaked and a husband-wife duo was arrested in the case, according to India Today.?

Question paper leaks have become an issue in recent years as a number of exams for recruitment to government jobs have been marred with alleged leaks and other irregularities. In December, a question paper leak was reported in Rajasthan.?