Maharashtra suspends five teachers for aiding copying in Class 12 exams

Authorities in Maharashtra have suspended five teachers in Beed district for allegedly enabling mass copying during the Class 12 Higher Secondary Certificate examinations, officials said on Feb 17.

The action follows an incident on Feb 10, the first day of the exams, when drone surveillance cameras recorded supervisors across 16 examination halls failing to stop cheating and allegedly assisting students.

Beed Collector Vivek Johnson ordered disciplinary and legal action after the footage surfaced. An FIR was filed at Neknoor police station against 17 teachers, including the chief conductor of Centre 224 in Chousala.

The case has been registered under the Maharashtra Universities, Boards and Other Specified Examinations Prevention of Malpractices Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Officials said the five suspended teachers are from Bhalchandra Vidyalaya in Limbaganesh. Twelve other staff members from three schools and junior colleges are under investigation and may face suspension depending on the outcome of the probe.

The Education Department has instructed institutions to act against those involved, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy toward exam malpractice.

In a separate development, the Nanded district administration issued a show cause notice to a Class 12 examination center superintendent after irregularities were found during a surprise inspection on Feb 16.

District Collector Rahul Kardile, who inspected a center in Kandhar tehsil, identified violations of standard operating procedures, including question papers not stored under CCTV surveillance, teachers without identity cards, and inadequate seating arrangements. Calling the lapses “serious,” Kardile directed strict action and sought a proposal to cancel the center.

Officials said monitoring squads and live webcasting through Zoom, supported by two control rooms, have been deployed to prevent further incidents during the board examinations.