The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has denied rumours that students would not be allowed to fill forms for Class 10 and 12 board exams without first submitting their Aadhaar card details.

For the last three days, anxious students and parents have been calling up authorities at divisional board offices across the state after the rumours started circulating on WhatsApp.

“The parents and students are asking how such a decision can be made for students at the last minute. They are calling up because they have seen some WhatsApp message or heard from relatives. Even though school principals reassure them, they are worried about last minute problems. We don’t know why these messages are being circulated as they add to our headache,” said an official of the state board.

Shakuntala Kale, chairperson of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), also said that social media and WhatsApp rumours were adding to the burden of board officials.

“People are misinterpreting the board’s instructions and spreading these rumours. We appeal to schools, parents and students not to heed these rumours. The board has made it clear that yes, while filling the forms, the students should fill their Aadhaar card details. If the students have only applied for it, then even the temporary receipt issued will also do. However, if a student does not have an Aadhaar card or has not applied for one, they will not be stopped from filling the forms for Class 10 or 12 board examination at any cost. Both the department and the ministry have made it very clear,” she said.

In 2016, the MSBSHSE had issued a circular telling students to provide their Aadhaar card number while filling the board examination form. The board had said that many students drop out in Class 11, and though some appear for Class 10 exams as private students, others leave studies altogether, and the Aadhar card details could help track them.

However, while submitting Aadhaar card details is still mandatory, not possessing an Aadhaar card will not disqualify students from appearing for Class 10 or 12 board exam.s

The board had also said that if a student does not possess an Aadhaar card at the time of filling exam forms, that student would have to submit an undertaking stating they would acquire it by the time the results are declared.

When queried on this point, Kale could not provide clear answers. “Yes, students have to give the undertaking,” she said. Asked if a student, who can’t or does not procure an Aadhaar card by the time the results are declared, will be given his/her results, she said, “Last year, it was compulsory, but all students were given their results. So, going by that practice, they will. At least till now, the department has not said anything to the contrary. But as of now, we are asking students to just fill online forms, for which Aadhar is desirable but not mandatory,” said Kale.

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