The Maharashtra government has established a new state-level vigilance committee. This body will oversee the upcoming Class 10 and 12 board examinations. Its primary objective is to prevent exam-related malpractices and ensure fair conduct across the state.
Purpose of the State Committee
The committee’s formation aims to enhance coordination, monitoring, and control at the state level for all exams conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. While district-level vigilance committees are already active, the government identified a need for a dedicated state-level authority. This new committee will ensure the effective, uniform implementation of “copy-free” examination campaigns statewide.
According to the official resolution, the committee will work to prevent all forms of malpractices in the Class 10 and Class 12 certificate examinations. It seeks to guarantee that all examination centers operate in a peaceful and stress-free environment for students. A core objective is to raise academic quality among students by enforcing strict examination discipline.
State-Level Committee Structure
The Commissioner of Education will chair this state-level vigilance committee. The Secretary of the state board will serve as its member-secretary. Other high-ranking officials form part of the committee to ensure broad oversight and collaboration across departments.
- Chairperson: Commissioner of Education
- Member-Secretary: Secretary, Maharashtra State Board
- Members include:
- Chairperson, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education
- Special Inspector General of Police (representing all ranges)
- Additional Divisional Commissioners
- Directors of Education (covering primary, secondary, higher secondary, and planning)
This centralized committee will ensure consistent monitoring and enforcement of examination rules and security protocols throughout Maharashtra during the board exams.
District Committee Responsibilities Enhanced
District-level vigilance committees will continue their crucial roles, operating under the leadership of District Collectors. These committees are responsible for ensuring examinations in their respective districts proceed without malpractice and in an orderly manner. The state resolution reinforces their extensive duties, vital for local oversight.
Key responsibilities for district committees include:
- Infrastructure Verification: Committees must verify examination center infrastructure one day before exams begin. This ensures all facilities meet required standards.
- Sensitive Centre Identification: They are tasked with identifying sensitive and potentially troubled examination centers to deploy additional security or surveillance.
- CCTV Oversight: Ensuring comprehensive CCTV coverage, secure data storage, and maintaining accessible CCTV footage at district offices are mandatory.
- Squad Deployment: Deployment of both flying squads (mobile inspection teams) and static squads (fixed presence) at centers will deter malpractices.
- Police Presence: Arranging adequate police deployment at all examination centers maintains law and order.
- Security for Materials: Providing full security during the transportation of question papers to centers and answer sheets back to custody centers is critical. This includes arranging government vehicles and assigning police or Home Guard personnel to assist custodians.
These detailed responsibilities ensure a robust framework for secure exam conduct at the ground level.
Strict Action Against Malpractices
The government resolution mandates strict legal action against individuals involved in examination-related offenses. This action will be taken under the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act, 1982. This law provides a legal framework to prosecute those attempting to compromise the integrity of the board exams.
Further preventive measures include:
- Photocopy Centre Closure: All photocopy centers located within a 500-meter radius of any examination center must remain closed for the entire duration of the examination period.
- Prohibitory Orders: Necessary prohibitory measures, such as restrictions on public gathering, will be enforced around examination centers to prevent unauthorized access or activity.
These comprehensive measures aim to ensure a fair, secure, and credible environment for all students appearing for the Maharashtra Class 10 and 12 board examinations.