The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has tightened examination rules for the UP Board Exams 2026 in a major move to prevent cheating and impersonation. As per the latest directive, students appearing for Class 10 (High School) and Class 12 (Intermediate) board examinations will now be required to carry their Aadhaar card along with the admit card to the examination centre.
The board believes that this additional verification step will significantly reduce cases of fake candidates and ensure a more transparent, fair, and disciplined examination process across the state.
Until now, students were allowed to enter examination centres by showing only their admit cards. However, from the 2026 board exams onwards, this will no longer be sufficient. Every student must carry a photo-based Aadhaar card along with the admit card.
At the examination centre, officials will match the details and photograph on the admit card with the Aadhaar card. If a student fails to produce Aadhaar, entry into the examination hall may be denied.
UP Board officials have stated that impersonation remains a recurring issue despite strict monitoring. This new rule aims to stop candidates from appearing in exams using someone else’s identity.
According to education authorities, several cases of proxy candidates are detected every year during UP Board examinations. Even after deploying flying squads and surveillance teams, some fake candidates manage to enter exam centres.
With Aadhaar-based verification:
Identity checks will become more accurate
Impersonators can be identified instantly
Entry of unauthorised candidates can be blocked at the gate itself
District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) Dr. Puran Singh explained that all board candidates already have an APAAR ID, which is linked to Aadhaar. Linking admit cards with Aadhaar numbers will therefore be technically easy and effective.
In addition to Aadhaar verification, UPMSP has rolled out multiple measures to conduct exams smoothly and fairly:
CCTV surveillance at all exam centres, monitored directly from district headquarters
Geo-tagging of exam centres to track real-time activity
Enhanced security for question papers and answer sheets
Changes in answer book formats to prevent manipulation
The board is also preparing to issue QR code-based identity cards to centre superintendents, invigilators, examiners, and other staff. This will ensure that only authorised personnel are present at examination centres and no unauthorised individuals or unqualified teachers are assigned duties.
The UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 examinations for 2026 will be conducted from February 18 to March 12, 2026.
A total of 52,30,297 students have registered for the exams this year, making it one of the largest board examinations in the country.
High School (Class 10): 27,50,945 students
Intermediate (Class 12): 24,79,352 students
Given the massive scale, the board has taken extra precautions to maintain order and fairness.
For Class 12 students, practical examinations will be conducted in two phases:
Phase 1: January 24, 2026 to February 1, 2026
Phase 2: February 2, 2026 to February 9, 2026
These exams will be held under strict supervision, with separate guidelines issued for examiners and centres.
To accommodate the huge number of candidates, UPMSP has set up 8,033 examination centres across the state. Each centre will follow uniform rules related to surveillance, verification, and invigilation.
Authorities have been instructed to strictly follow the board’s guidelines, and any lapse may attract disciplinary action.
Students preparing for UP Board Exams 2026 should:
Ensure their Aadhaar card details are correct and updated
Carry both admit card and Aadhaar card on every exam day
Reach the exam centre well in advance to avoid last-minute verification issues
Students without Aadhaar are advised to complete the enrolment process immediately to avoid complications later.
With Aadhaar verification, CCTV surveillance, geo-tagging, and QR-coded staff IDs, the UP Board has made it clear that zero tolerance will be followed against cheating and impersonation in 2026. While the new rules may feel strict, they are designed to protect genuine students and ensure the credibility of one of India’s largest board examinations.
Students are advised to stay informed, follow the rules carefully, and focus on their preparation without unnecessary stress.
