UP Board begins dispatch of answer sheets | Prayagraj News

Prayagraj: Preparations for Uttar Pradesh Board high school and intermediate examinations have gathered pace, with the board headquarters beginning the dispatch of answer sheets to districts for the examinations scheduled from Feb 5. The board has set a target of sending around three crore answer sheets to all 75 districts by the end of December.District inspectors of schools have been directed to ensure the safe custody of the answer sheets and maintain strict security at examination centres. The answer sheets will have to be stored under 24-hour surveillance by closed-circuit television cameras equipped with voice recorders to prevent their misuse or any attempt at tampering.The board has retained several security features introduced to curb irregularities in the handling of answer sheets. Like last year, all stitched answer books will carry a QR code, while page numbers will be printed on every page. Different colours have also been assigned to distinguish the answer books. The high school ‘A’ answer book will be dark orange and the ‘B’ answer book dark blue, while the intermediate ‘A’ answer book will be dark purple and the ‘B’ answer book dark green.Officials have been instructed to ensure that there is no overwriting, cutting or use of correction fluid on the serial numbers printed on the answer books. Detailed centre-wise records of the distribution of blank answer sheets will also have to be uploaded by the district inspectors of schools on the board’s website.The board has further directed districts to arrange fumigation or pesticide spraying in rooms where blank answer sheets are stored and install adequate fire extinguishers to minimise the risk of damage.