The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBoSE) has suspended an examination superintendent and shifted an entire exam centre in Kangra district after evidence of large-scale cheating surfaced during ongoing board examinations.

The action follows disturbing reports from the PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Jawali, where alleged misconduct—including a video showing a teacher openly dictating answers to students inside the examination hall—sparked outrage and prompted immediate intervention by the board.

HPBoSE chairman Rajesh Sharma said the decision was taken after multiple complaints and video footage pointed to serious irregularities at the Jawali examination centre. Authorities have now relocated the centre to Government Senior Secondary School, Matlahar to ensure the smooth continuation of the exams.

The Director of School Education has suspended centre superintendent Ravi Bhandari with immediate effect. Bhandari, a biology lecturer, has been accused of gross misuse of official authority and failing to uphold the integrity expected of a government employee.

A preliminary inquiry by the board confirmed that a teacher inside the exam hall was verbally dictating answers to multiple-choice questions to several students. The board described the episode as a clear case of mass copying that undermines the credibility and fairness of the examination system.

Officials said the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s Office, Jawali has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation and submit its findings to the board headquarters. Authorities stressed that such malpractice jeopardizes the interests of honest students who rely on a fair examination process.

In the interest of transparency, the Jawali exam centre has been cancelled. All registered candidates will now complete their remaining papers at the Matlahar centre.

Departmental proceedings have also been initiated against the centre coordinator, superintendent and deputy superintendent. The board has written to the Himachal Pradesh Department of Education in Shimla, recommending stringent disciplinary action against those found responsible.

Reaffirming the board’s zero-tolerance stance, Sharma warned that anyone found facilitating cheating or other unfair practices would face strict consequences to safeguard the integrity of the state’s examination system.