The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) recorded 42 instances of cheating on the first day of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board examinations, which commenced on Tuesday. As per a report by news agency PTI, nearly 15 lakh students appeared for their first paper at 3,373 exam centres across nine divisions in the state. Despite strict measures to prevent malpractice, cases of cheating were reported from 19 centres.

Sharad Gosavi, chairperson of the MSBSHSE, was quoted as saying that an investigation into the cases of cheating is underway. He said if these cases were reported by centre supervisors, no further action would be necessary.

The state cabinet led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed the matter of ensuring smooth and fair examinations, announcing additional steps to maintain transparency. Fadnavis warned that any exam centre found involved in mass cheating would face cancellation of approval, while teachers and staff responsible would be dismissed.

To curb cheating at exam centres, a 100-metre no-entry zone has been enforced around examination centres, restricting the presence of unauthorised individuals. The chief minister also said that district collectors should lead special squads that would begin monitoring examination centres an hour before the exam starts. The squads will be on duty until all answer sheets are submitted to the custodian.

"Drone surveillance has been deployed at sensitive centres, while special squads are closely monitoring the examination process," Fadnavis said.