UP Board Exam 2026: The Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (UP Board) has issued important instructions regarding the 2026 high school and intermediate board examinations. According to the letter, if a candidate is caught using unfair means (cheating, etc.) during the exam, no criminal case will be filed against them.

What is the whole matter?
According to the board, the government is committed to conducting the 2026 board examinations in a fair and cheating-free manner. Strict action will be taken against those who influence public examinations under the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Importantly, the penal provisions of this Act will not apply to students.

This letter was issued by the board headquarters in Prayagraj on February 15, 2026. It clarifies that the government is committed to conducting the 2026 board examinations in a fair and cheating-free manner.

Why did students get relief?
The Council has also clarified that the penal provisions of the Act will not apply to candidates. Citing its previous order (dated January 29, 2026), the Council stated that the Preamble and Section 3 of the Act clearly state that students appearing for examinations will be exempt from criminal liability, keeping their future in mind. This means that students will not be prosecuted under this law.

A student caught cheating will not face criminal charges.
The student will not face jail or criminal charges.

What action will be taken then?

However, if a student is found to have used unfair means while answering a question paper in a public examination, their answer sheet for the relevant paper will not be evaluated. The result of such a student will be declared in accordance with the rules set by the examination authority.

Their answer sheet for the relevant subject will not be evaluated.
Their result will be declared in accordance with the rules set by the examination authority.

Who will face strict action?

The Council has also directed officials to take strict action against outsiders or gangs involved in cheating or other irregularities under Section 8 of the Act. This means that those who violate the sanctity of the examination will face strict action, but students will be exempt from criminal prosecution. This means:

Paper leakers
Cheating mafia
Those who disrupt the examination system

They will face strict action under the law. Clearly, the Council's objective is to curb cheating while also protecting students' futures from criminal charges.

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