By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Lucknow: With the Uttar Pradesh Board exams set to commence on February 24, the Department of Secondary Education has declared 17 districts as sensitive. Special vigilance will be maintained in these districts to curb malpractice and ensure a fair examination process.
As part of the preparations, control rooms are being established at both district and state levels to monitor the conduct of the exams closely.
17 Districts Declared Highly Sensitive
Based on previous instances of mass cheating, irregularities, and re-examinations, the department has identified and marked the following 17 districts as highly sensitive:
- Gonda
- Agra
- Mathura
- Baghpat
- Aligarh
- Mainpuri
- Etah
- Hardoi
- Azamgarh
- Ballia
- Mau
- Prayagraj
- Kaushambi
- Chandauli
- Jaunpur
- Ghazipur
- Deoria
Strict Measures to Prevent Malpractice
To ensure cheating-free and peaceful examinations, Deepak Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Secondary Education Department, has issued strict directives to District Magistrates (DMs), Commissioners, and departmental officials in these districts. The key measures include:
- Special Surveillance: Officials will keep a strict watch on examination centers in the identified sensitive districts.
- Preventive Actions: Legal and preventive measures will be taken against cheating mafias and anti-social elements.
- Security of Question Papers: The authorities must ensure secure handling and transportation of question papers to avoid any leaks or tampering.
- Monitoring Committees: DMs are to conduct meetings to review security arrangements and ensure smooth conduct of the exams.
Control Rooms for Real-Time Monitoring
To maintain strict supervision, the examination control mechanism will be strengthened through multiple monitoring layers:
- District Headquarters: Control rooms will be set up at the district level to monitor examination centers.
- Regional Offices: Each regional office will oversee the centers within its jurisdiction.
- State-Level Monitoring: A central control room will be established to supervise all 75 districts in real-time.
Each district’s control room will be monitored by an administrative officer appointed by the DM. If any irregularities are found at any examination center, the concerned officials will be immediately informed, and necessary action will be taken.
Additionally, all incidents and reports will be recorded in a register to maintain transparency and accountability.
Conclusion
With these rigorous measures in place, the Uttar Pradesh government is determined to conduct fair and malpractice-free board examinations. The authorities have warned that any attempts to disrupt the examination process will be met with strict legal action.