Mumbai gears up for copy-free HSC exams with strict monitoring measures

Students prepare for the Higher Secondary Certificate exam at an examination centre on February 2, 2025. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE

With only a week left to go for the Std XII board exams, education inspectors across the city are asking students who are facing discrepancies with Maharashtra Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board exam admit cards to bring their problems to the attention of the board or inspectors' offices promptly.

"Even if a child's parents have not been able to pay their Std X fees, the schools cannot withhold admit cards from students. If any such cases are noticed, parents can reach out to their education inspector's office," said Mustaq Shaikh, education inspector of the North Region.

Ahead of the exams, the Vigilance Committee, comprising the district collector and education inspectors, among others, met on Monday to ascertain all arrangements for the ‘Copy-Free Campaign' of the board examinations. As per the norms, police presence will be ensured at custodian centres with sensitive information, and inspectors and the collector will be making surprise visits to examination centres.

In Mumbai, stated education inspectors, a total of 12 flying squads have been arranged, of which nine are for the suburbs. "We do not have many sensitive centres in the suburbs. In case we are informed of malpractices at any centres, a stationary squad will be sent to those schools. We also plan to write to the respective electricity providers of our areas to ensure that there are no power cuts amid examinations," said Shaikh.