PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 18 -- In a first-of-its-kind initiative to reduce examination stress and curb academic malpractice, the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board) will introduce counselling sessions to sensitise students about the adverse consequences of using unfair means in examinations.

According to UP Board Secretary Bhagwati Singh, the board has traditionally relied on strict measures such as filing FIRs and debarring students caught cheating from the remainder of the examination. However, the new approach seeks to address the root causes that drive students toward copying.

"Strict punitive measures often had serious consequences for students but failed to completely eliminate the influence of copying gangs. The board has ...