Allegations of irregularities in the March 2025 examinations conducted by the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board (HPBOSE) have been substantiated after a forensic examination of answer scripts from a Bilaspur district centre confirmed tampering in evaluated material involving answer sheet manipulation in the MCQ section.The Board chairperson Dr Rajesh Sharma stated that manipulation was suspected in the multiple choice question section of Art-A subject papers after written complaints were received from students, prompting examination of the answer sheets and subsequent expert scrutiny at the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory in Dharamshala following receipt of complaints and examination of scripts.Forensic lab report confirms tamperingAccording to officials, the investigation centred on the Rajkiya Senior Secondary School Jhandoota examination centre in Bilaspur district, where a total of forty students appeared for the examination, including eleven candidates from Government High School Jeora as part of a detailed review of the examination process.Nine students from the Art-A stream submitted written complaints to the Board alleging tampering in the multiple choice question (MCQ) section of their answer sheets after evaluation triggering formal verification procedures which were later taken up for scrutiny by the Board.Envelope swapping exposes procedural lapseFollowing verification, officials stated that during the inquiry the serial numbers on the tamper-proof packing envelopes did not match those recorded in the official packing memo, indicating possible substitution or exchange during handling of answer scripts and discrepancies in envelope records were highlighted during verification.This finding formed a key basis for further administrative examination of handling procedures.Students to receive marks benefit and report sent to education departmentBoard chairperson stated that the students were not at fault and that their academic interests would be protected. It was decided that marks would be awarded for the affected questions in accordance with examination rules, ensuring no impact on results. The complete case file and investigation report have been forwarded to the education department for further action and ensure compliance with procedural standards. The Board reiterated that examination integrity measures will continue to be reviewed in line with existing regulations. All related records have been officially submitted for departmental action under established procedural requirements for review.