Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Announces Permanent Ban on Exam Centres with Mass Copying

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that examination centres found facilitating mass copying during class 10 and 12 board exams will face permanent closure. This decision follows reports of 42 copying incidents on the first day of the class 12 HSC exams, as stated by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE). The chief minister emphasised strict monitoring at sensitive centres using drones and video cameras.

Fadnavis instructed officials to dismiss any school staff or teachers involved in aiding cheating. This directive was issued during a state cabinet meeting. He also engaged with district collectors and police officials to assess exam preparations. The chief minister stressed the importance of forming special squads to oversee exam centres, arriving an hour before exams begin and staying until answer sheets are secured.

Monitoring and Security Measures

The responsibility to prevent cheating lies with district collectors, superintendents of police, and Zilla Parishad CEOs. In urban areas, municipal commissioners and police commissioners share this duty. Fadnavis urged these officials to visit sensitive centres on days when English, Maths, and Science exams are held. The class 12 exams started at 3,373 centres and will continue until March 18.

Fadnavis also mandated that no unauthorised individuals should be within 100 metres of exam centres. Measures must be taken to ensure students do not bring materials that could facilitate cheating. The flying squad is expected to enforce a copy-free environment effectively. On the first day of the HSC exams, over 15 lakh students appeared for the English paper across more than 3,000 centres.

Incidents and Responses

Out of the 42 reported cases of malpractice, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar accounted for 26, Pune for eight, Nashik for three, while Amaravati and Nagpur each had two cases. Latur reported one case, whereas Mumbai, Konkan, and Kolhapur had none. In a separate incident in Pune's Narhe area, a student attempted to jump from the second floor but sustained only minor injuries and was hospitalised.

The chief minister's directives aim to uphold the integrity of the examination process across Maharashtra. By implementing stringent measures and holding officials accountable, the state seeks to ensure fair assessments for all students participating in these crucial exams.