LUCKNOW/PRAYAGRAJ, March 13 -- The High School and Intermediate examinations-2026 of the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board), which began on February 18, concluded in 15 working days on Thursday. This year, around 26 lakh of the 27,61,696 registered candidates appeared for the High School examination, while 24.5 lakh of the 25,76,082 registered candidates took the Intermediate exam. In total, approximately 2.87 lakh students were marked absent- 1,61,696 in High School and 1,26,082 in Intermediate. According to UP Board secretary Bhagwati Singh, more than 2.89 lakh CCTV cameras equipped with voice recorders were installed across 1.22 lakh examination rooms and premises at 8,033 centres statewide, ensuring round-the-clock online monitoring. As part of a pilot project, jammers were deployed at 20 centres in Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Ghazipur and Jaunpur districts. Show-cause notices were issued to 16 examination centres in 12 districts for non-compliance with standard operating procedures, while cheating complaints were reported at 17 centres in 11 districts. This year, authorities detected 49 cases of dummy candidates and FIRs were lodged in each instance under the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Additionally, 18 candidates were caught using unfair means. The evaluation of answer sheets will begin on March 18 and conclude on April 1 at 250 centres across the state, officials said. The Board is preparing to declare the results in the last week of April.htc...