After the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, Pune, Nagpur and Latur divisions account for 19, 17 and 15 centres, respectively. (File photo)
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has cancelled the recognition of 107 examination centres where instances of copying and other malpractices were detected during last year’s board examinations.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division — comprising Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Beed and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts — accounts for 28 out of 107 centres, the highest among all divisions.
Of the 107 centres, 31 were Secondary School Certificate (SSC/Class 10) examination centres, while 76 were Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC/Class 12) centres. After the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, Pune, Nagpur and Latur divisions account for 19, 17 and 15 centres respectively. Mumbai, Amravati and Nashik divisions have six centres each, while no centres were found in violation in the Kolhapur and Konkan divisions.
Stating that the action was taken following notifications issued last year under the copy-free exam campaign, MSBSHSE Chairman Dr Trigun Kulkarni said the move would not affect arrangements for the upcoming board examinations. “There are more than enough exam centres available for SSC and HSC examinations to ensure adequate arrangements. All exam centres were notified last year that if copy cases are detected during board exams, their recognition to function as exam centres will be cancelled,” he said.
Dr Kulkarni added that the copy-free exam campaign will continue for the upcoming examinations and that a state-level vigilance committee has already been formed to ensure its effective implementation.
Despite strict anti-copying measures, a total of 445 cheating cases were recorded during last year’s Maharashtra State Board examinations. Of these, 245 cases — more than 55 per cent — were reported from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division.
For the 2026 board examinations, the HSC written exams will be held from February 10 to March 18, while the SSC written exams are scheduled from February 20 to March 18. Launched in 2023, the copy-free exam campaign of the Maharashtra State Board is being strengthened every year with newer initiatives.
Curated by James Chen
