Summary: The Bombay High Court at Aurangabad has overturned the decision to cancel several exam centers in Maharashtra, highlighting the need for fairness and transparency. This decision impacts many junior colleges whose centers were canceled due to a single case of cheating.
The case involves multiple requests from schools in Maharashtra, including Pratibha Niketan Secondary and Higher Secondary Ashram School, against the State of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. These schools were facing the cancellation of their exam centers for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams because of a cheating incident.
On February 11, 2025, during an English exam, a student was caught cheating at one of Pratibha Niketan Secondary and Higher Secondary Ashram School's centers. This one-time incident led to a notice from the Maharashtra State Board, questioning the school's ability to hold exams fairly.
"The petitioners assert that this was a solitary, stray incident by one candidate."
Despite the schools' explanations and promises that there was no widespread cheating, the Board issued an order on December 18, 2025, canceling the exam centers. The decision was based on a rule about mass cheating, which the schools argued did not apply to them.
The High Court, led by Judges Vibha Kankanwadi and Hiten S. Venegavkar, found the Board's order lacking proper reasons and fairness. The court noted that the order did not take the situation into account and was made without a thorough investigation.
"The order is cryptic... It does not demonstrate consideration of the petitioner’s reply to the show cause notice."
The court emphasized that the cancellation was too harsh for the alleged misconduct. The judges highlighted the need for a fair hearing and following proper procedures, which were not done in this case.
On January 19, 2026, the court canceled the orders to close the exam centers, directing that they be reopened. The court also set guidelines to ensure fair exams and responsibility of supervisory staff.
"The impugned orders suffer from absence of reasons and non-application of mind."
The court required that schools promise to prevent future cheating incidents. It also directed the education board to ensure qualified staff and proper procedures are in place for conducting exams.
The court's decision ensures that exam centers are not closed without good reasons, protecting the interests of students and schools. It stresses the importance of fair treatment and proper investigation in educational matters.
