Maharashtra HSC Exam: Cheating Scandal Unfolds as Dummy Candidate Discovered in Nalasopara Physics Exam
Maharashtra HSC Exam: Cheating Scandal Unfolds as Dummy Candidate Discovered in Nalasopara Physics Exam
In the context of the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), a significant incident of cheating was reported nearly a week into the exams. On Monday, a dummy candidate was apprehended while attempting to take the Physics exam at a center located in Nalasopara, Mumbai. Following the state board’s directives, the examination center has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Pelhar police station.
This incident was uncovered during an unannounced inspection by the anti-copying flying squads at Om Sai Junior College in Nalasopara. Rajendra Ahire, the chairman of the Mumbai division of the board, explained that the flying squads randomly select exam centers for their visits. During one such visit on Monday, they discovered the dummy candidate while conducting an impromptu verification of hall tickets for the Physics paper that was being held in the morning session.
When questioned about whether there had been any prior alerts regarding potential misconduct that prompted the verification, Ahire clarified that this particular junior college had not been flagged as a sensitive exam center. The visit by the flying squad was entirely random, and such surprise checks routinely include hall-ticket verification.
Following the incident, the Maharashtra State Board directed the exam center to file a police complaint according to the required protocols. Ahire stated that an independent investigation by the state board will also take place.
As per the established rules, a dummy candidate will face legal penalties, and the actual student involved will be prohibited from sitting for board exams for the next three years. If any issues are identified at the exam center, its authorization to operate as an exam center will be canceled.
This year, the Maharashtra State Board launched an extensive initiative to combat cheating during board exams, with the state government implementing strict regulations under the campaign named ‘Copy-Mukt-Abhiyan’. Despite these rigorous efforts, reports of cheating continue to emerge almost daily. Nonetheless, this is the first cheating case reported in the Mumbai division during the current HSC examinations.
