Odisha Government Deploys Advanced Security Measures for Annual Higher Secondary Examinations
The Odisha government has implemented comprehensive administrative and security protocols to guarantee the smooth and transparent administration of the Annual Higher Secondary Examination (AHSE), which is scheduled to run from February 18 to March 28, 2024. The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) announced on Sunday that a substantial cohort of 401,632 students will participate in the examinations across 1,357 centers operating under 1,909 higher secondary schools throughout the state.
AI Surveillance and Examination Management Hubs
A network of 211 examination management hubs has been established specifically for the secure storage of question papers. These critical facilities will be monitored continuously by AI-enabled camera surveillance systems to prevent any unauthorized access or tampering. The examinations will be conducted over 23 distinct sittings, requiring meticulous coordination and oversight.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg personally reviewed the examination preparedness during a high-level meeting on Saturday. She issued explicit directives to officials to maintain round-the-clock security at both the question paper hubs and the examination centers themselves. To enforce this mandate, adequate police deployment has been authorized, complemented by armed escorts tasked with the safe transportation of all question papers and answer scripts between locations.
Stringent Anti-Malpractice Protocols Enforced
Controller of Examinations Prasanta Kumar Parida detailed the rigorous measures implemented to deter and prevent examination malpractice. In a significant move, mobile phones and all electronic devices have been completely prohibited inside examination centers for both students and officials involved in the process.
"Every individual associated with the examination will be required to deposit their mobile phones with the center superintendent or leave them in their vehicles before entering the school premises," Parida stated. He further clarified that center superintendents are mandated to maintain a precise, date-wise record of all deposited mobile phones to ensure accountability.
Enhanced Student Verification and Exam Day Procedures
The security protocol for students includes a two-stage process involving thorough frisking and identity verification. Special arrangements have been made to ensure the privacy and safety of female examinees during these checks.
The official examination day procedure mandates that question paper packets must arrive at the centers by 8:30 AM. These packets will be opened precisely at 9:30 AM in the presence of multiple authorized officials, including representatives from the district administration, to ensure transparency. Any surplus question papers will be sealed immediately after distribution to students, a critical step to prevent potential leakage of exam content.
Officials have confirmed the student entry timeline: examinees will be permitted to enter the examination hall 30 minutes before the scheduled start time and must be seated in their allotted seats at least 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the exam. These staggered entry rules are designed to facilitate orderly conduct and minimize last-minute disruptions.
The state's multi-layered approach, combining technological surveillance like AI cameras with physical security measures and strict procedural controls, underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the crucial Annual Higher Secondary Examination for hundreds of thousands of students.
