Drone surveillance during Maharashtra’s Class 12 board examinations has exposed large-scale cheating in Beed district, leading to criminal cases against 17 teachers after invigilators were allegedly seen aiding students inside examination halls.
A major examination malpractice case has surfaced in Maharashtra’s Beed district after drone-mounted surveillance cameras captured visuals of mass copying during the ongoing Class 12 (HSC) board examinations.
Acting on the footage, authorities have registered cases against over 16 teachers, including a centre superintendent, for allegedly failing to prevent cheating and, in some instances, actively helping students.
The incident occurred at an examination centre in Chousala on the first day of the exams earlier this week. Drones deployed by the education department as part of enhanced monitoring reportedly recorded visuals from 16 examination halls, where students were seen copying openly.
Supervisors present inside the halls allegedly did little to stop the malpractice, raising serious questions about the integrity of the examination process.
Officials said the footage was reviewed by the district administration soon after it emerged, prompting swift action. “The visuals clearly show a breakdown of responsibility at the examination centre. Such behaviour will not be tolerated,” a senior official said, confirming that criminal cases had been registered.
Action Against Teachers and Centre Officials
Following a preliminary inquiry, cases were registered against 16 teachers under provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Among those booked are invigilators and the centre head responsible for overseeing the smooth and fair conduct of the examination.
Beed Collector Vivek Johnson ordered immediate action after reviewing the drone footage. Officials said the teachers accused of complicity would also face departmental inquiries, which could lead to suspension, termination of service, or permanent debarment from examination duties if the allegations are proven.
Police officials confirmed that the matter is under investigation and statements of teachers, school authorities, and examination staff are being recorded. “We are examining the footage carefully and will take action based on evidence. No one involved will be spared,” a police officer said.
Technology Meant to Prevent Cheating Becomes Evidence
Ironically, the very technology introduced to curb copying became the primary evidence exposing it. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) had deployed drones and CCTV cameras across sensitive examination centres this year, particularly in districts with a history of malpractice.
Beed district has long been flagged as a vulnerable zone during board examinations, with past reports of mass copying prompting stricter oversight. This year, authorities decided to intensify surveillance by using aerial drones to monitor exam halls from above, alongside existing CCTV systems.
Education department officials said the move was aimed at ensuring transparency and deterring unfair practices. “The intention was to create a fear of accountability. Unfortunately, in this case, it revealed a deeper rot in the system,” an official associated with the board said.
A Wider Pattern Across Maharashtra
The Beed incident is not an isolated case. On the same day, similar instances of mass copying were reported from neighbouring districts, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where CCTV footage allegedly showed students copying answers while invigilators failed to intervene. In that case, police registered FIRs against 23 people, including teachers and examination staff.
These repeated incidents have raised concerns about the effectiveness of supervision during high-stakes examinations and the pressures faced by both students and teachers. Education experts say that while surveillance can act as a deterrent, it cannot replace ethical responsibility and strong institutional culture.
According to officials, nearly 45,000 students are appearing for the Class 12 examinations across more than 100 centres in Beed district alone. Ensuring fair conditions for such a large number of candidates remains a significant administrative challenge.
Impact on Students and Examination Credibility
While the crackdown aims to restore integrity, it has also sparked anxiety among students who fear that widespread malpractice could devalue the credibility of their results. Several parents expressed concern that honest students might suffer due to the actions of a few.
“Those who studied hard feel cheated when others get an unfair advantage. Strict action is necessary, but the system must also ensure that innocent students are not affected,” said a parent of a Class 12 student appearing in Beed.
Educationists warn that repeated instances of mass copying erode public trust in board examinations and can have long-term consequences for higher education admissions and employment prospects.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Examinations are not merely tests of memory but measures of integrity, effort, and equal opportunity. The Beed incident shows that technology alone cannot uphold fairness if those entrusted with responsibility abandon their ethical duty.
Accountability must be firm, but reform should also focus on training, support, and systemic change to reduce pressures that enable malpractice.
