Kolkata, Mar 15 (PTI) A day after a gaffe in the first-language Bengali question paper for Class 12 board examinees triggered outrage, the West Bengal Council of Higher Education on Wednesday said that the mistake crept into the paper during proof-reading, and the original one did not carry the misinformation.

In one of the questions, candidates were told to pen an essay on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose keeping four points in mind, one of which was his ICS exam clearance.

Also Read | UPI Fraud in Mumbai: ‘Drunk’ Police Constable Duped of Rs 80,000 by ‘Friend’ While Partying in Colaba.

The paper, however, mentioned 'IAS' instead of 'ICS', drawing the wrath of a section of students, their parents and also educationists.

Exam for aspiring civil servants was known as ICS before Independence.

Also Read | Adani Transmission Ltd Certified As Single-Use Plastic-Free Company.

Council President Chiranjib Bhattacharya told PTI, "Our paper-setter had originally mentioned ICS in the paper, which was inadvertently changed to IAS by proof readers. It was not deliberate on their part. They were not aware that IAS was known as ICS in British-ruled India."

Educationist Pabitra Sarkar described the mistake as "a serious lapse on part of authorities".

Sarkar, a former vice chancellor, said, "The entire development reflects poorly on the education system.

"I wonder if the council has done away with the role of moderator who takes a final look at the paper before it is sent for printing," he added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)