Latecomers can’t take HSC/SSC exam

Students appearing for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination will not be allowed to take the examination if they are late. Students will have to reach the examination hall half an hour early, to avoid any delay.

The examination time is generally 11 am for Class 10 and students are asked to reach the hall by 10:30 am. Earlier, students were allowed to take the examination even if they came 30 minutes late. Often, students would misuse this time to share images of question papers circulating on WhatsApp, it is alleged.

This move is primarily intended to curb question paper leaks via WhatsApp and other social media outlets. Nanda Kumar, Principal Secretary of the state education department, said, "No student will be permitted to sit in then hall after the examination time. They need to be aware and should reach their respective centres before time."

Since the packet containing the question papers will be unsealed in the classroom, there is less chance of a leak. "Social media is the main culprit in such cases. If the question paper is unsealed at 11 am, there will be no chance of it being circulated earlier," Kumar added.

Students will not be entertained if they give any excuses for coming late. Vinod Tawde, state education minister for school and higher education, said, "The examination time is 10:30 and writing time is 11 am. Students will not be considered after 11 am, at any cost."

The HSC examination will begin from February 21 and the SSC will start from March 1. Ranjan Shetty, a student, said, "This rule will create a problem if we are genuinely late. We are taking precautions and plan to leave before time during examination. But traffic and travel in Mumbai is unpredictable."