Maharashtra Identifies 15 High-Risk HSC Exam Centres, Deploys Drones To Curb Cheating

Mumbai: As part of Maharashtra’s ‘copy-free exam’ initiative to curb cheating, authorities have identified 15 high-risk examination centres for the HSC board exams in the Mumbai division for enhanced anti-cheating measures. These precautions aim to prevent malpractice and ensure a fair examination process.

Among the 15 sensitive centres, eight are located in Palghar district, five in Thane, and one each in Mumbai and Raigad districts. These centres were flagged based on malpractice incidents reported over five years, from 2018 to 2024, excluding the pandemic years of 2021 and 2022.

Furthermore, any examination centre found facilitating cheating during the ongoing examinations will have its recognition permanently revoked from the following academic year.

To strengthen monitoring at these high-risk centres, local education authorities will appoint external centre directors and supervisors, replacing the conventional practice of selecting staff from junior colleges.

Additionally, drone surveillance will be deployed for the first time to enhance oversight.

In a further bid to tighten security, all photocopying centres within a 500-metre radius of examination venues will remain closed during the examination period. Moreover, Section 144 will be enforced in the vicinity of the centres to prevent unlawful gatherings.