Police action against those indulging in unfair practices

Naina Mishra
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 14

In the wake of protests and critisicm from all quarters for the previous year’s paper leak, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has toughened the rules for candidates taking board exams.

To keep things in order, the board has directed a police action against candidates indulging in unfair practices. In the guidelines for the Centre Superintended (CS) and candidates, the board stated that: “All cases of unfair means must be reported to the police for taking an appropriate action under the laws of the land. The complaint/report should be sent to the police in a prescribed format.” Stringent penalty for posting exam information on the social media

New cases of unfair means will now include uploading/sharing any examination-related material — correct or wrong — on the social media, having question papers of previous years in possession, taking legal course or any other means to influence the CBSE for gaining advantage, providing any false information and use or attempted use of an electronic device after entering the examination centre.

For uploading or sharing any examination-related material on the social media, current exam will be cancelled and the defaulter will not be allowed to exam for the next three years too. The candidate at fault will have to take the examination in all subjects thereafter.

The board has also recommended an FIR if a candidate has smuggled out the answer sheet. If any candidate is found smuggling answer sheet, the CS will try to procure the sheet, failing which, the matter will be reported to the police and a copy of the FIR be sent to the office of the Board, along with statements of the Assistant Superintendents present in the room and also of the candidate.

Candidates will be subjected to extensive and compulsory physical checking before entering the examination centre. The CS will be authorised to check/frisk the candidates any time during the examination. For female candidate, it should be made sure that it is done by a woman official.

While making arrangements for the conduct of examination, the school will ensure that only 24 candidates are seated in a room, as this time, one sealed envelope of 24 question papers will have to be given to the Assistant Superintendents. The envelope will be opened in the examination room only and an undertaking by two Assistant Superintendents and two candidates will be given.

The parcel containing the packets of question papers will be opened only 30 minutes before the examination.

The CBSE exams will commence from February 15 for vocational studies subjects.

Barred Items

• Any stationery item with textual material (printed or written), bits of papers, calculator, pen drives, log table, electronic pen, etc.
• Any communication device – mobile phone, bluetooth device, earphones, microphone, pager, health band and camera.
• Other items such as wallet, goggles, handbags and pouches. 
• Any eatable item opened or packed, except for diabetics. 
• Exam hall books, old question papers or material of any kind that can be used for unfair activities.

Undertaking from parents and candidates

From 2019 onwards, mother/father/guardian has been directed to sign on the admit card for giving an undertaking that they have verified the details of the candidate and there is no mistake.

Media, administration barred from entering centres

No one, including police officials, district administration officials, mediapersons or any other person who is not on examination duty, will be allowed to enter the centre when an exam is going on.

Permitted Items 

• Admit card
• Stationery items — scale, writing pad, transparent pouch, geometry/pencil box, blue/royal blue ink/ball point/gel pen, eraser, Metro card and bus pass.