Pune: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has once again sent out a strong warning against board examination malpractice, announcing that all centres where copy cases were found last year have been dropped from the list of exam venues for the upcoming 2026 session. The decision was announced on Thursday by MSBSHSE chairman Trigun Kulkarni at a news conference, as the board gears up to conduct HSC/SSC exams for over 30 lakh students. Last year, flying squads detected mass copying at 76 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) centres and 31 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) centres across the state during the Feb–March 2025 exams. These were then barred from hosting exams this year. Kulkarni said the same zero-tolerance policy will continue, with any centre found indulging in malpractice facing immediate cancellation in future exam cycles as well. Kulkarni said, “The cancelled centres were spread across multiple divisional boards. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar reported the highest number, with 28 HSC and 10 SSC centres cancelled, followed by Pune (12 HSC, 7 SSC), Nagpur (10 HSC, 6 SSC), Latur (8 HSC, 7 SSC) and Mumbai (5 HSC, 1 SSC). Kolhapur and Konkan divisions reported no cancellations, while Amravati and Nashik saw cancellations limited to HSC centres.” The announcement sets the tone for the board’s aim of 100% copy-free exams this year. The HSC exams will commence on Feb 10, followed by SSC exams from Feb 20. Kulkarni added, “To ensure copy-free exams, the state has put in place a multi-layered monitoring and enforcement mechanism. Sensitive and highly sensitive centres have been identified in every district, with mandatory CCTV coverage in examination halls and all rooms connected to the exam process.” Authorities have been instructed to ensure secure storage of CCTV footage, with access maintained at district vigilance committee offices and oversight by the state-level vigilance committee. Drone surveillance will be deployed at sensitive centres, along with video recording outside premises to deter organised copying attempts. Flying and static squads comprising govt officers from various departments will be stationed across centres, with each including at least one woman officer. Kulkarni further said, “Security around question papers has also been tightened. Govt vehicles will be requisitioned wherever required for the transport of question papers and answer sheets, with police personnel or home guards accompanying each consignment.” The Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act, 1982, will be enforced strictly, with officials reiterating that those involved in copying, abetment, or facilitation of malpractice will face cognizable and non-bailable offences. Photocopy centres within a 500m radius of centres will remain closed during exam hours. Education commissioner Sachindraparat Singh, who was also present at Thursday’s news conference, said the measures were aimed at protecting honest students and restoring public confidence in the exam system. “Cancelling centres involved in malpractice sends a clear message. Our priority is fairness, credibility, and a stress-free environment for students appearing for these crucial exams,” he said.
