In a historic move to ensure the sanctity and transparency of the Class 10 and 12 board examinations, the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) has decided to implement CCTV surveillance at sensitive and selected examination centres for the first time in the board’s history. The primary objective of this initiative is to effectively curb paper leaks, mass cheating, and other irregularities during the exams. 226 centres selected under pilot project: The Board has opted to launch this as a ‘Pilot Project’ this year. Out of a total of 3,856 examination centres across the state, 226 centres have been brought under electronic surveillance. The live feed from these cameras will be monitored directly at the Board Headquarters in Bhopal.

 

Additionally, District Collectors and District Education Officers (DEOs) have also been granted access to monitor the live activities of these centres within their respective jurisdictions. Crackdown on the cheating Mafia: Board PRO Bhupesh Gupta stated that the mere awareness of being under surveillance is often sufficient to deter irregularities. He added that CCTV monitoring would also help reduce the influx of hoax calls and complaints alleging mass cheating. Based on the outcomes of this year’s experience, the Board will consider extending CCTV coverage to more centres next year. Strengthening the scope of flying squads: Currently, flying squads constituted by the Board conduct surprise inspections of centres.

 

However, they face limitations as they can only remain at a specific centre for a limited duration. In contrast, CCTV cameras will enable continuous, uninterrupted monitoring throughout the entire duration of the examination. Examinations set to begin next month: The Board examinations are scheduled to commence in the second week of February. Class 12th exams will be held from February 7 to March 5, while Class 10 exams will take place between February 11 and March 2. It is noteworthy that states like Bihar, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are already utilising CCTV.