Odisha's Higher Secondary Council Deploys AI Surveillance for Exam Security
The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) in Odisha has announced a comprehensive security overhaul for the upcoming Annual Higher Secondary Examination (AHSE), commonly known as the Plus II exams. In a significant move to prevent question paper leaks, the council will treat all 211 examination management hubs (EMHs) as temporary treasuries, placing them under continuous AI-powered CCTV surveillance.
Enhanced Security Infrastructure
The examination hubs, which include higher secondary schools, colleges, universities, and a state sub-treasury, will be guarded by armed police personnel around the clock. Each hub's strong room will remain under constant CCTV monitoring, with real-time video feeds being tracked at CHSE's central examination management hub located in Bhubaneswar.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond revealed during a review meeting that the security measures incorporate multiple technology-driven approaches. "We are implementing QR codes and watermarks on question papers to prevent leaks and enable traceability," Gond stated. "Additionally, AI-enabled cameras will monitor question banks and exam centers in real-time to ensure complete transparency."
Examination Management Structure
The council has established a structured management system for the examination process:
- Principals of selected institutes will serve as EMH supervisors
- Supervisors will form panels of teachers to act as observers
- Observers will transport question papers to examination centers
- They will also supervise the conduct of papers at their assigned locations
To maintain neutrality and prevent familiarity, observers will be deployed on a rotation basis with strict limitations. No observer will be assigned to the same examination center more than twice during the entire examination period, which runs from February 18 to March 25.
Logistical Planning and Scale
The examination infrastructure connects 1,357 examination centers and 7 sub-centers to the 211 EMHs. CHSE will dispatch question papers and other examination materials to the hubs in two distinct phases:
- Initial dispatch in February
- Second dispatch between March 4 and 6
This year's examination will see substantial participation, with at least 4.16 lakh students expected to appear for the AHSE. The comprehensive security measures aim to curb malpractice and ensure the fair conduct of examinations across all centers.
The implementation of AI surveillance represents a significant technological advancement in Odisha's examination security protocols, addressing concerns about paper leaks that have affected educational assessments in various regions. The round-the-clock monitoring system, combined with physical security measures and structured observer deployment, creates multiple layers of protection for the examination process.
