27 February,2026 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse. File Pic
The government has cancelled the recognition of 107 examination centres across the state in a sweeping crackdown on copying and other malpractices during the Class 10 and 12 board examinations, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse told the state assembly on Friday on Day 5 of the Maharashtra Budget Session 2026, news agency PTI reported.
Speaking during Question Hour, Bhuse said the government has rolled out a "copy-free examination campaign" for the February-March 2026 board exams, on the lines of last year's initiative, to maintain a fair and secure examination process.
Recognition of 31 Class 10 and 76 Class 12 examination centres was cancelled after instances of malpractice were reported around January 13, he said in his written reply.
According to the news agency, the minister pointed out that key preventive measures, including CCTV cameras, have been made mandatory at all Class 10 and Class 12 examination centres.
Staff members, including superintendents, invigilators, and other personnel at centres without CCTV coverage, have been replaced. Special stationary squads and drones have also been deployed at sensitive centres, he added.
District-level vigilance committees have been set up under the chairmanship of district collectors, with roles defined through a government resolution dated January 9, he said.
Moreover, flying squads have been formed for surprise visits to examination centres, and immediate action will be taken against individuals found guilty of malpractice.
Strict instructions have been issued under the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act to register cognisable and non-bailable offences against anyone involved in or abetting malpractice, the minister said.
Earlier this month, drone cameras exposed large-scale copying during a Class 12 exam at a centre in Beed district, leading to the suspension of 17 teachers.
The Maharashtra government will roll out an awareness campaign from the upcoming academic year to help the public identify genuine textbooks published by âBalbharati', its official publishing body, a state minister informed the Assembly on Friday, reported PTI.
In a written reply during Question Hour in the Lower House, Dada Bhuse said more than 20,000 counterfeit copies of textbooks produced by Balbharati were seized from a private printing press in Nagpur district in December 2025.
He said the illegal printing of textbooks for Classes 9 to 12 was uncovered during a raid at a press located in the Hingna MIDC area of Nagpur.
Officials from the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research (Balbharati) conducted an on-site inspection, following which an FIR was registered against those involved, reported PTI.
The owner of the printing press was arrested and the stock of fake textbooks was confiscated, the minister added.
According to PTI, Bhuse said the government has alerted regional officers across the state to monitor and inspect private printing presses, wherever necessary, to curb such illegal activities.
To help students and parents distinguish genuine books from fake ones, QR codes will be printed on designated pages of official textbooks from the new academic year.
Awareness campaigns will also be carried out through the media in May and June to inform students, parents and booksellers.
(With PTI inputs)
