Maharashtra Board Implements Drone Surveillance at High-Risk Exam Centers

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) will for the first time use drones to keep a watch on sensitive exam centres during the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. The initiative is part of its larger effort to ensure malpractice-free exams across the state.

Maharashtra Board Exam Dates (2025)

The notice issued by MSBSHSE secretary Madhuri Savarkar said that facial recognition systems will also be installed at exam centres to confirm the identity of exam officials like centre directors and supervisors.

The Class 10 exams conducted by the Maharashtra State Board will begin from February 21 and will continue till March 17, 2025 and Class 12 exams will be held from February 11 to March 11, 2025.

Maharashtra Board Exam Security Initiatives (2025)

In a meeting with education officials, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik stressed the need for a strict anti-cheating drive. Officials will enforce the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractice Act, 1982, under which cognizable and non-bailable charges will be slapped on anyone found aiding or abetting malpractice. Also, photocopy centres within 500 meters of exam centers will be closed and Section 144 will be imposed in these areas to prevent unauthorized gatherings.

Sharad Gosavi director of MSBSHSE confirmed the move to HT.

A circular published by the board on Tuesday underlined that officials should ensure that all the necessary physical facilities are in place a day before the exam is scheduled. Additionally, during the exam period, the centres will be filmed from outside and dedicated flying squads will be deployed to conduct surprise checks.

Also, for the first time, examination staff, including centre directors, supervisors and other personnel will be verified through facial recognition system before entering the centre.

"Based on the suggestions from the state government, the mandal board will request the district administration to help with the facial recognition system," Gosavi said.

Official identity cards will also be issued through the departmental board to keep unauthorized persons out of the premises. Mahendra Ganpule, former spokesperson of the Maharashtra State Principals' Association, said, "We have demanded that identity cards be issued to board officials on duty. Many times, non-education department officials are appointed to the flying squad, making it a challenge for the centre director to check their authenticity. The identity cards will solve this problem."

Anti-Cheating Measures & Legal Actions