Vadodara: The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) will conduct the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations at 267 centres across Vadodara city and district from Thursday.More than 72,000 students will appear for the exams, including around 44,600 Class 10 students and nearly 28,000 Class 12 candidates.In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Vadodara, students can now scan a QR code to locate their examination centres directly on Google Maps. District education officer Mahesh Pandey said the move was aimed at helping students and parents reach centres without confusion or delay.“By scanning the QR code, vehicles can reach directly to the gate of the school where the examination is scheduled. The links have been shared with schools, parents and students. It is a convenient and time-saving measure, and there is no reason for students to panic,” Pandey said.For smooth conduct of the exams, the district has been divided into four zones for Class 10 and two zones for Class 12. All centres have been equipped with CCTV surveillance, proper ventilation and will be sanitised as per board guidelines.Meanwhile, the city police commissioner issued a notification imposing restrictions from 8am to 8.30pm on examination days to ensure a fair and peaceful atmosphere.As per the order, candidates and visitors are prohibited from carrying mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, walkie-talkies, cameras or any other electronic gadgets inside examination centres. Entry of unauthorised persons into exam venues has also been barred.The order further prohibits the gathering of four or more persons within a 100-meter radius of examination centres during exam hours. Xerox, photocopying and printing shops within the same radius will remain closed, while the use of loudspeakers nearby has been banned. Excavation work near centres has also been restricted to prevent power disruptions.Police said the measures are aimed at preventing malpractice and maintaining law and order. Violators will face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023). However, officials authorised by the board and deployed on exam duty will be allowed to use mobile phones for official purposes.Separately, Congress leaders submitted a memorandum to the city municipal commissioner, demanding immediate repairs of potholed roads to ensure students can reach examination centres on time.
