Despite CCTV cameras and a ‘copy-free’ campaign, 237 cheating cases were reported during the Maharashtra HSC exams that concluded on March 11. The board has suspended 81 teachers, while 581 students in Washim are suspected of mass copying. Mumbai recorded 16 cases
The Board says 581 Std XII students at Amravati’s Washim likely indulged in copying in Physics exam on Feb 16
The Higher Secondary Certificate examination concluded on March 11, with 237 copying cases recorded statewide despite the much-discussed ‘copy-free’ drive that included the installation of CCTV cameras across exam halls. Mumbai alone accounted for 16 such cases. The board also saw 81 teacher suspensions owing to copy cases. This is the highest number recorded yet, and the number of FIRs registered in connection with such cases is likely to go up, as per board officials.
Districts like Beed, Sambhajinagar, and Washim saw notable suspensions of teachers. The State Board suspects 581 Std XII students at a centre in Amravati’s Washim allegedly indulged in mass copying during their Physics exam on February 16.
Board suspects 581 Std XII students at a centre in Amravati’s Washim allegedly indulged in mass copying
The matter is being investigated, and 28 officials have been suspended so far. Students and facilitators carrying mobile phones inside centres, mass copying, dummy candidates, micronotes, and ChatGPT printouts were some of the common copying trends this year. While the HSC examinations concluded for thousands across the state, IT students are yet to appear for some pending exams.
Official speak
“This year, the CCTV surveillance helped us maximise the busting of copying cases. Cameras also helped our flying squads detect what went on before they arrived at the centres. About 85-90 per cent of centres had cameras. The District Vigilance Committees formed this year were also largely proactive and helped us get to the bottom of these cases,” said Nandkumar Bedse, acting chairperson of the Maharashtra Board.
‘No proof of Std X maths paper leak’
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has clarified that there is no prima facie evidence of a paper leak in the SSC February-March 2026 Mathematics examination, despite reports published in some newspapers.
The board said a Telegram group claiming to provide exam papers appears to be part of an attempt to financially cheat students. On Wednesday, Dr Deepak Mali, secretary, MSBSHSE, Pune, issued a letter to media stating that no proof of copying was found.
Std X copying cases
Statewide: 49
Mumbai: 3
(As of March 11)
Division-wise copying cases
Pune: 47
Nagpur: 27
Mumbai: 16
Kolhapur: 1
Amravati: 59
Nashik: 5
Latur: 36
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 46
Konkan: 0
Copying cases in Mumbai
Chemistry: 8
Police cases thus far: Nil
Political Science: 2
Total 16
Other subjects Mathematics, Bookkeeping and Accounting, Biology, Economics, Geography, Avesta Pahlavi
- Archana Dahiwal
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