Himachal board suspends exam superintendent after mass cheating at Kangra center

Authorities in Himachal Pradesh have taken disciplinary action after allegations of mass cheating surfaced during ongoing board examinations in Kangra district, leading to the suspension of an exam center superintendent and relocation of the test center.

The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education confirmed on March 14 that action was taken against PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School in Jawali after complaints and video evidence indicated widespread irregularities during examinations.

Officials said the decision followed reports that included footage showing a teacher dictating answers to students inside the examination hall.

Board Chairman Rajesh Sharma said the move was based on multiple complaints and video material pointing to serious violations at the Jawali center. Following the development, the board shifted the examination center to Government Senior Secondary School in Matlahar.

The Director of School Education suspended the center superintendent, Ravi Bhandari, a biology lecturer, with immediate effect. The suspension order cited gross misuse of official authority, failure to uphold integrity, and conduct unbecoming of a government employee.

A preliminary inquiry conducted by the board found that a teacher present in the examination hall was verbally dictating answers to multiple-choice questions. The board described the incident as a case of mass copying that compromised the credibility of the examination process.

Officials said the Sub Divisional Magistrate’s Office in Jawali has been instructed to carry out a detailed investigation and submit a report to the board’s headquarters.

The board noted that such incidents undermine the interests of students who appear for examinations honestly.

To maintain fairness and transparency, the Jawali examination center has been canceled. Students registered at the center will now appear for their remaining papers at Government Senior Secondary School in Matlahar.

Departmental inquiries have also been initiated against the center coordinator, superintendent, and deputy superintendent.

The board has written to the Himachal Pradesh Department of Education in Shimla recommending strict disciplinary action against those found responsible.

Chairman Sharma reiterated that the board maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward unfair practices and said strict action would be taken against anyone found facilitating malpractice in examinations.