The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is planning two major reforms related to Class 10 and 12 exams, including a complete restructuring of the question paper format to reduce length and printing costs, and stricter legal provisions to bring tampering with answer sheets and tampering with marks under the ambit of criminal offences.
Chairman Trijun Kulkarni shared details of the proposed changes, stating that the reforms are aimed at reducing student stress, simplifying examination patterns, and enhancing the credibility of the assessment process.
Firstly, the Board decided to restructure the question papers, which currently range from 10 to 11 pages for some subjects. According to officials, the lengthy format not only increases printing costs but also creates confusion and stress among students during exams.
“The board spends approximately that $30 Crores per annum just on printing question papers. Kulkarni said: “After studying the issue, a committee was formed and it was decided to reduce the size of the papers significantly.”
Read also | The first Saraswati idol installed in the Bhojshala sanctuary; Posters outside prohibit entry of non-Hindus
He said that the new format will reduce the length of the question paper to only three to four pages, printed on the front and back, resulting in a saving of approximately 60% in printing costs and a significant reduction in paper consumption.
“By shortening and restructuring the paper, we want to achieve more clarity and reduce tension,” Kulkarni said.
As part of this reform, the Council will reorganize the questions in a more systematic and chronological manner. A main question and its subquestions will be placed together on the same page to improve readability. The revised structure will also include clearer presentation of marks, correct sequencing of questions, simplified formatting such as multiple choice questions and question numbering.
Read also | “No compensation, just one nuclear facility”: Iranian report lists US demands amid fragile ceasefire
Secondly, the Council seeks to introduce amendments to current laws to place answer sheet malpractices as criminal offences. Currently, the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act, 1982 mainly covers offenses like leakage of papers, tampering with question papers, and malpractices at examination centres.
However, in recent years cases involving answer sheet tampering, illegal grade improvement, and fake reassessments have emerged. Kulkarni said the current provisions were insufficient to effectively address such crimes.
He added that the Council has begun steps to amend the law so that these crimes can be treated as cognizable and non-bailable crimes.
