Pune: Over 15 lakh students across Maharashtra will write the Class XII Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board examinations starting Tuesday to be held at nearly 3,400 main examination centres and around 60,000 halls.The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has expanded CCTV camera surveillance to more than 90% of exam centres in order to manage the massive exercise and ensure copy-free exams.
Chairman in-charge of the board Nandkumar Bedse spoke at a news conference on Monday. He said, “This year, CCTV camera monitoring has been prioritised more than previously to curb malpractices and ensure transparency. However, 172 exam centres still lack the facilities leading to the board replacing the entire examination staff — from centre directors to support staff — to prevent local influence and ensure fairness.“The board has constituted vigilance committees at the state, divisional and district levels as per the Jan 9 govt resolution. District collectors will head district committees, supported by senior police officials, DIET principals and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company engineers to ensure security and uninterrupted power supply.Photocopy centres within 500 metres of examination centres will remain closed during exam hours. The Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act 2020 will be enforced strictly. The board has intensified its copy-free campaign through bulk SMS, WhatsApp messages and emails to school heads.All practical and internal exams have been completed and question papers dispatched under strict security. A high-level review meeting chaired by the chief secretary has directed district administrations and police to ensure smooth, peaceful and malpractice-free examinations.BOX172 centres without surveillanceThe state education department has made CCTV cameras mandatory at examination centres for the classes X and XII board examinations. The network has over 90% coverage, except at 172 centres — including 21 in Pune division, nine in Nagpur, four in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 11 in Kolhapur, 55 in Amravati (highest), 23 in Nashik, 21 in Latur, eight in Konkan and 20 in Mumbai division. The staff posted at these centres have been transferred.Additionally, 248 examination centres have been identified as sensitive.A state-level vigilance committee has been appointed to monitor the examination process, which will be conducted at 3,387 main centres in the state.Flying squads have been instructed to make surprise visits to centres, with special teams also being appointed under divisional boards. Stationary squads have also been deployed at centres. Bedse said strict action will be taken against staff found indulging in malpractices.BoxUse of Google Meet and Zoom in Sangli districtChairpersons of district vigilance committees have been directed to do all things deemed necessary for planning to ensure that classes XII and X examinations are conducted in a transparent manner. Accordingly, in Sangli district, Google Meet and Zoom apps will be used at places where CCTV cameras are not available, Bedse said.BOX: Appointment of counsellors for studentsDuring the examination period, many students experience negative thoughts or mental stress due to fear. The board has appointed 10 counsellors to help such students. Also, the divisional boards have appointed two counsellors per district, Bedse said.Stream — Registered candidatesScience – 7,99,773Arts – 3,80,692Commerce – 3,20,152Vocational – 27,278ITI – 4,492Total – 15,32,487Girls – 7,12,240Boys – 8,20,229
