Many student-friendly measures had been adopted this year by the Maharashtra State Board—one of them was allowing candidates to take the exams in their schools and junior colleges. But some junior colleges took advantage of these measures and allowed much more than the permitted number of outside students to appear for the HSC board exam. The board has initiated action against them.

Following the HSC exam, it came to light that at least five colleges—three in Nallasopara, and one each in Bhiwandi and Mahim—submitted exam forms for 900 to 1,000 students, while their approved student intake for HSC was just 60 each. This prompted the Mumbai division of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) to start the procedure to cancel their affiliation, officials said.