Maharashtra govt launches 'Copy-Free' campaign ahead of SSC and HSC exams

As the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education MSBSHSE prepares for the 2025 exams the state government on Tuesday launched CopyFree campaign for class 10th and 12th examsThe Higher Secondary Certificate HSC exams for Class 12 will take place from February 11 to March 18 2025 while the Secondary School Certificate SSC exams for Class 10 will be held from February 21 to March 17 2025In an effort to ensure that these exams are free from malpractice Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik has called for the successful implementation of the CopyFree campaign across the stateThe initiative is aimed at eliminating cheating and creating a secure and stressfree environment for studentsThe Maharashtra government is committed to conducting the exams in a fair and transparent manner an official statement saidIt said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavisrsquo 100day Action Plan includes a specific focus on conducting the 10th and 12th grade exams in a peaceful and fair mannerEducation Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse has instructed the School Education Department and the Maharashtra State Board to work towards ensuring a smooth and cheatfree examination process To review the progress a meeting was held at the state secretariat where senior officials including Principal Secretary of the School Education Department Ranjit Singh Deol were present The meeting was also attended by district collectors police commissioners superintendents and Chief Executive Officers of districts via video conferencing the statement saidAs part of the security measures surveillance will be increased at sensitive exam centers using drone cameras under the guidance of district authoritiesA day before the exams the district administration will ensure that all necessary facilities at the exam centers are in place Video surveillance will be carried out outside the exam centers to monitor any irregularitiesIn addition special teams will be deployed at all exam centers consisting of both mobile and stationary inspection units with the help of government officials and staff across the districtsFacial recognition systems will be used to verify the identity of exam center personnel including center controllers supervisors and other staff involved in the examination processThe Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act 1982 will be strictly enforced and any malpractice or irregularity will lead to immediate legal action including the filing of cognisable and nonbailable offensesTo prevent cheating during the exams photocopy centers within a 500meter radius of the exam centers will remain closed and Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code will be imposed around the centers it saidThe Maharashtra State Board has urged all students parents teachers and examrelated personnel to fully cooperate with these measures to ensure a fair and smooth examination process the statement said