Prayagraj: Ahead of High School and Intermediate board exams, authorities of Uttar Pradesh Secondary Board issued strict instructions to ensure smooth conduct and maintain the sanctity of the exams.For board exams starting from Feb 18, all teachers of govt and govt-aided secondary schools will be required to perform at least 20 shifts of invigilation duty during the examination period under the new guidelines. The move is aimed at strengthening supervision and preventing irregularities at exam centres.In addition, for privately run, unaided schools designated as examination centres, board directed 50% invigilation and administrative staff must be deputed from govt and aided institutions to ensure neutrality and reduce possibility of malpractice at such centres.UP Board secretary Bhagwati Singh issued detailed instructions to all joint directors of education and district inspectors of schools (DIoS), stressing any negligence, deliberate absence, or dereliction of duty by officials appointed as centre superintendents or invigilators would invite strict disciplinary and legal action. The board made it mandatory to deploy two invigilators in every examination room to ensure closer monitoring of examinees.Special emphasis was also placed on secure handling of question papers. Each examination centre was instructed to arrange a strong room equipped with four double-lock iron cupboards. According to guidelines, two cupboards will be used for the safe storage of the main question paper sets for both examination shifts. A third cupboard will be reserved for leftover question papers, while the 4th will store reserve sets. These arrangements are intended to prevent leaks, tampering, or mismanagement of confidential material.“All measures, being followed in previous exams and those which are being introduced, are part of the board’s broader effort to conduct fair, transparent, and malpractice-free examinations,” said Bhagwati Singh. District-level authorities were asked to closely monitor compliance to ensure exam centres were fully prepared well before exams began, he added.
