Maharashtra SSC Examinations 2025 Begin: Over 1.6 Million Students Sit For Class 10 Exams Amid Strict Anti-Cheating Measures

Mumbai: More than 1.6 million students across Maharashtra commenced their Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations on Friday. Among them, over 3.6 lakh candidates belong to the Mumbai division, which includes the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar.

According to official figures, a total of 16,11,610 students have registered for the examination statewide, comprising 8,64,120 male, 7,47,471 female, and 19 transgender candidates. These students will appear for their examinations at 5,130 designated centres, representing 23,492 secondary schools.

The Mumbai division, with 3,60,317 students, accounts for the highest number of candidates. This includes 1,88,367 male, 1,71,948 female, and two transgender students.

Dr. Sanjayrao Tayade Patil, president of Maharashtra English School Trustees Association said “all preparations for class 10 examinations concluded successfully and all necessary cooperation will be provided to the State Education Board to ensure the smooth conduct of examination.”

Sharad Gosavi, Director of Education (Primary Education) Maharashtra informed that the board has made all arrangements for smooth and fair conduction of exams and the machinery is working towards the ‘copy-free campaign.’

Under this campaign eleven examination centres within the Mumbai division have been classified as ‘sensitive’, based on reports of malpractices over the past five years. These centres will have enhanced security measures to curb malpractices informed officials. Out of the identified sensitive centres, none were identified from the Mumbai suburbs however five were identified in Palghar, four in Raigad and two in Thane.

In a first, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has introduced drone surveillance at these sensitive centres. Additionally, all photocopying (Xerox) shops within a 500-metre radius of examination centres will remain shut throughout the examination period. Authorities have also enforced Section 144 in the vicinity of examination centres to prevent unlawful gatherings and potential misconduct.

Furthermore, the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act, 1982, has been invoked to impose strict penalties on individuals found guilty of aiding or abetting cheating. Offenders will face cognisable and non-bailable charges.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, which commenced ten days before the SSC exams reported its first case of malpractice in the Mumbai division on Monday where a dummy candidate was caught at a college in Vasai. Rajendra Ahire, Chairman of the Mumbai division of MSBSHSE, said, “An FIR has been registered in connection with this case as part of the copy-free campaign.”