Jharkhand Board Exam: Magistrate and Police Deployed for Single Music Candidate

An unusual scene during the ongoing Jharkhand board examinations has drawn public attention after a full administrative and security setup was deployed for a single Class 10 candidate in Garhwa district.

The arrangements were made for Shankar Kumar Singh, a matriculation student who had opted for Music as his examination subject. His exam was conducted at the Upgraded Middle School in Harhe under the Ramkanda block.

When Singh arrived to take his examination, the centre functioned with heightened supervision typically seen at sensitive or high-risk locations. The exam hall was monitored through CCTV cameras, a magistrate was deputed for oversight, 18 monitoring personnel were assigned to supervise the process, and 12 police personnel were stationed at the premises to maintain security and discipline.

The extraordinary deployment for a lone examinee quickly became a topic of discussion across the district, particularly as board examinations are being conducted under strict guidelines statewide to ensure transparency and prevent malpractice.

Officials explained that the Harhe examination centre serves a larger pool of students. A total of 406 candidates were registered at the centre, including students from nearby institutions such as the Scheduled Caste Residential School and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Ramkanda.

Authorities reported that only three students remained absent throughout the examination schedule at the centre, indicating a high attendance rate.

Centre Superintendent Harsh Jyoti Shukla stated that comprehensive arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth examination process. Facilities such as drinking water, sanitation and proper seating were provided, while CCTV surveillance ensured transparency and adherence to board guidelines.

The Music examination required special arrangements because Singh was the only candidate appearing for the subject at the centre. Under board rules, examinations must be conducted with full procedural compliance regardless of the number of candidates, necessitating the presence of supervisory staff and security personnel.

The examination cycle at the centre concluded with the Sanskrit paper on Monday, marking the end of subject tests for the matriculation candidates.

Despite the completion of exams, the extensive deployment for a single candidate remains the most talked-about aspect of this year’s board examinations in the district. Observers say the incident highlights the administration’s commitment to ensuring fairness and rule compliance, even when logistical demands appear disproportionate.