Candidates appearing for the statewide recruitment examination for Grade 3 and 4 posts in Assam will be allowed to take home their set of question papers to avoid a situation similar to the one triggered by the circulation of question papers post-examination.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had on Monday said a few individuals were trying to malign the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE), the first round of which was held successfully on Sunday, by playing up the circulation of used question paper, which has “no” value after the examination.

“I have, therefore, conveyed to the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA), to allow ADRE candidates to take the question papers home with them (to prevent a situation similar to the sharing of the question paper post-exam),” Sarma said.

An official said on Wednesday that a decision on the question paper issue will be announced two to three days ahead of the next round of exams but the “overwhelming view” is to allow candidates to take the question papers home.

The SEBA is conducting the statewide exam. The next round is on September 27 (Grade 4) and September 29 (Grade 3).

The SEBA had said on Monday that the act of sharing and circulating the question paper was a “false attempt to create a paper leak impression”. The papers were circulated 30 hours after the exam commenced at 10am on Sunday.

At least eight persons have been arrested in connection with the circulation of the used question paper, all associated with the Upendra National Academy exam centre in Dhemaji district.

Police sources said the arrested included Mangal Singh Basumatary (a photographer/cameraman engaged by the SEBA at the exam centre), Manohar Narzary, Umesh Brahma, Dilip Daimary (invigilators), Dwijen Bodo (a candidate and brother-in-law of Mangal Singh Basumatary), Bimal Muhahary (principal-cum-centre in charge, Upendra National Academy, Simen Chapori), Dr. Gopal Tamuli and Elbert Deuri (supervisory officers).

A high-level meeting was also held on Tuesday involving the state chief secretary and the police chief to discuss the formulation of a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) for the “dignified checking of candidates at examination centre gates”.