A Class 10 student in Maharashtra’s Nashik was allegedly forced to continue writing her board examination despite starting her menstrual period, raising concerns over the conduct at the examination centre.
The incident took place on March 13 at a board examination centre inside Abhinav Adarsh High School in Nashik.
The student was appearing for her Science-II paper when she began experiencing her menstrual period with about an hour left for the exam to end.
COMPLAINT FLAGS NO WASHROOM ACCESS, NO SANITARY PADS AT CENTRE
According to the complaint, the student requested permission to use the restroom. However, the female supervisor allegedly denied the request, citing examination rules that restrict students from leaving the hall before the paper concludes.
After the exam ended, the student approached a female staff member at the centre and asked for a sanitary napkin. The request was again declined, with the staff member stating that no sanitary pads were available.
The matter came to light after the Ubuntu Foundation filed a written complaint with the Nashik division of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Following the complaint, the Board issued a show-cause notice to the examination centre, seeking an explanation from the authorities concerned.
Vinod Gaikwad from the Ubuntu Foundation said the organisation’s intent was not punitive but corrective. “We do not want action for the sake of punishment, but such incidents should not happen again. The student may have faced both physical and mental distress, which could have affected her performance in the exam,” he said.
BOARD FLAGS RULE VIOLATION, SEEKS EXPLANATION FROM CENTRE AND SUPERVISOR
The board, in its notice, stated that denying a student permission to attend to natural needs during an examination amounts to insensitivity and may violate the rights of the candidate.
It also noted that such an incident could affect the student’s ability to concentrate and perform during the exam. Officials pointed out that existing guidelines allow students to leave the examination hall for natural calls, provided they are accompanied by authorised personnel such as a constable.
The board observed that the supervisor may have failed to follow these established rules. The notice further asked why disciplinary action should not be initiated against the centre director and the supervisor involved.
Board officials also said that before every examination cycle, orientation sessions are conducted for centre heads to ensure that rules and procedures are clearly understood.
Examination centres are expected to follow these guidelines strictly.
The case has raised questions about the preparedness of exam centres to handle basic student needs and the need for better awareness among staff during board examinations.
