Maharashtra HSC 2026 exams kicked off with reported instances of mass cheating. On February 10, the first day of the Class 12 English paper, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) documented 42 cheating cases statewide.
Cheating Incidents Reported Across Divisions
Amravati division reported the highest number of cases with 22. Pune followed with 10 cases. Nashik recorded 4, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar had 3, Latur registered 2, and Nagpur reported 1 case. Divisions including Mumbai, Kolhapur, and Konkan reported no malpractice during the English exam.
FIR Filed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 23 individuals. These individuals include exam invigilators suspected of involvement in mass copying. CCTV footage captured students copying answers from each other’s papers.
Proceedings have begun to suspend Zilla Parishad employees involved. The entire staff appointed at the examination center has been replaced. This action follows the discovery of widespread cheating.
Action in Jalna District
Separately, in Jalna district, six invigilators face suspension. A flying squad discovered students cheating during the English paper in Ambad Tehsil. Action is also underway against three students involved in the malpractice.
These offenses fall under the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982. This legislation aims to ensure the integrity of examinations.
Comparison to Previous Year
In the 2025 examination cycle, the MSBSHSE recorded 364 cheating cases. These incidents occurred across 124 exam centers managed by nine divisional boards. Eleven FIRs were filed in 2025.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was the most affected division last year, with 214 cheating cases. Pune and Mumbai each had two FIRs filed, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar lodged seven FIRs in 2025.
Exam Schedule
The Maharashtra Class 12 board exams 2026 commenced on February 10. The examinations are scheduled to conclude on March 11. Approximately 15 lakh students are appearing for the HSC exams this year.