The CBSE class 12 sociology paper held on Wednesday asked students to name the party under which the "anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat in 2002" took place, a question the board later said was "inappropriate" and against its guidelines.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also said strict action would be taken against "responsible persons". "A question has been asked in today's class 12 sociology Term 1 exam which is inappropriate and in violation of the CBSE guidelines for external subject experts for setting question papers. CBSE acknowledges the error made and will take strict action against the responsible persons," the board said in an official statement.