First day, no fear: HSC exams begin on schedule, Copy Abhiyaan in place

The first day of the examinations for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) began on a peaceful note in Mumbai, on Tuesday. Students were seen around examination centres doing their final revision from written notes and textbooks and parents standing besides them, guiding them to stay cool and motivating their spirits to excel in the English examination.

Approximately 13,30,101 students across the state appeared for examination, out of which approximately 7,75,259 were boys and 5,54,842, vying to achieve merit positions. Parents accompanied students at their centres carrying fruit juices and energy boosters to ease the tension.

Students were seen making last minute preparations with thick books in their hands. A few students seem relaxed and chatted with each other. Stationery stalls were full with students buying stationary for the examination.

A few were seen jotting down pointers on a piece of paper for grasping main points. Some of them gathered at the board stating their respective classrooms and seat numbers. Board authorities have taken maximum precautions and have placed increased security to tackle problems like paper leak and copying during examination.

In order to curb copying, the education department has come up with a novel concept of "Copy Abhiyaan", where stringent action will be taken against students who will be caught copying. Explaining the strategy, President of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Ujwaladevi Patil said, " This year we had planned the strategy for the examination well in advance. Our main aim behind designing this strategy is to foreclose students from attempting copying during examinations.

This year we have set up vigilance squads, which consist of the local people, parents, teachers, and other distinguished members of the society as well as the board authorities who will keep an eagle's eye on students." The board has also come up with round- the- clock helpline numbers for students to erase the fear of failure and anxiety from their minds.

Mumbai Divisional Secretary, R R Bhise said, " We have provided students with helpline numbers of psychologists who will help them rub off the anxiety fear during examinations. There is a break of one day after each paper for students to study well.