QPAS: Question Paper Archives System

QPAS (Question Paper Archives System) is an advanced, role-based web application designed to serve educational institutions, faculty, and students by providing a centralized digital repository for examination question papers. Its goal is to enhance exam preparation for students and streamline the process of question paper management and reuse for educators.

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🌐 Live Demo

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🖥️ Project Presentation

View the Project Presentation

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Key Features

• Centralized Repository: Securely stores question papers from multiple institutions in a single, searchable archive.
• Role-Based Access Control: Fine-grained role management for students, teachers, and administrators.
• Efficient Paper Management: Teachers and admins can upload, update, and delete question papers in multiple formats (PDF, DOCX, etc.).
• Advanced Search & Filters: Students can quickly search and filter papers by subject, exam type, degree, or institution.
• Access Management: Papers can be marked as public or private, with tailored access based on user roles and institution.
• Modern UI/UX: Intuitive dashboards for each user role, real-time notifications, and responsive layouts.
• Secure & Auditable: All actions are authenticated and authorized, ensuring data integrity and privacy.
• Reusable Content: Enables educators to reuse and adapt existing question papers, reducing preparation time and effort.
• Academic Enrichment: Students gain access to diverse past papers, supporting comprehensive exam readiness.

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System Architecture

QPAS features a modern full-stack architecture:

• Frontend:
  • Built with React (using Vite or Create React App) and React Router for SPA routing.
  • State management via Context API and React Query for API state and caching.
  • Modular component-based design with reusable UI elements.
  • Responsive layouts for seamless experience across devices.
• Backend:
  • RESTful API developed with Node.js and Express.js.
  • Firebase (Firestore and Storage) for scalable, secure data and file management.
  • Comprehensive middleware for authentication (JWT), role-based authorization, and request validation.
• Authentication & Authorization:
  • Secure JWT-based authentication.
  • Role checks and user context extraction in all protected routes.
• Deployment:
  • Cloud-based deployment leveraging Vercel.com for demo and production.
  • Environment configuration via .env files.

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Core Modules

Frontend

• Authentication: Sign up, log in, and persistent user sessions.
• Dashboards:
  • Student Dashboard: Search, view, and download question papers.
  • Teacher Dashboard: Upload, manage, and update personal and institutional question papers.
  • Admin Dashboard: Institution-wide management of users and papers.
• Paper Management:
  • Upload new papers with metadata (subject, exam type, access type, etc.).
  • Edit or delete existing papers (with audit checks).
  • Filter and search functionality for efficient navigation.
• Reusable UI Components: Modal dialogs, cards, badges, notifications, etc.

Backend

• RESTful Endpoints:
  • CRUD operations for question papers (/api/question-papers/).
  • Role-based endpoints for teachers and admins.
• File Handling:
  • Uploads with validation and secure storage in Firebase.
  • Generation of signed URLs for private document access.
• Security:
  • JWT verification and user context extraction.
  • Fine-grained access control for all actions.

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Technology Stack

• Frontend: React, React Router, Context API, React Query, Axios, modern component libraries
• Backend: Node.js, Express.js, Firebase (Firestore & Storage)
• Authentication: JWT (JSON Web Token)
• State Management: React Context, React Query
• Deployment: Vercel.com

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v16+)
• npm or yarn
• Firebase project (with Firestore and Storage enabled)

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/tanay-787/qpas.git
   cd qpas

2. Install dependencies:

   cd frontend
   npm install
   cd ../backend
   npm install

3. Configure Environment:

   • Copy .env.example to .env in both frontend and backend, and update with your Firebase and JWT settings.

4. Run the app locally:

   • Start backend:

     cd backend
     npm run dev

   • Start frontend:

     cd ../frontend
     npm run dev

5. Access the app:
   Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser.

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Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome! Please submit issues or pull requests for enhancements, bug fixes, or new features.