Talking to reporters after a National Monitoring Committee meeting at the Secretariat, he also said if the candidates fail to turn up in the stipulated time, they will not be allowed to sit for that day’s exam.

This year, the JSC and JDC examinations will begin on November 1. A total of 26 lakh students will be appearing at both the examinations.

There will be multiple question sets for candidates, which will be distributed after a lottery five minutes before the beginning of every exam, Nahid said.

He said to avoid question paper leak and possible rumour, law enforcement agencies are taking strictest possible measures. “Every examination centre as well as social media will be monitored to look out for probable leak or rumour.”

No electronic device will be allowed in the vicinity of the examination hall while all involved in the examination process, including invigilators, will remain under surveillance, the minister said.

He also said 47 cases have so far been filed and many people arrested over question paper leaks.

Nahid urged guardians not to pay any heed to any rumour over question paper leak.

Senior officials of the Education Ministry, and representatives of the education boards and law enforcement agencies were also present at the meeting.