Patna, Feb 24 (IANS): The state authorities have decided to take tough measures to conduct cheating-free exams as over one million students across Bihar started their Class 12 exams on Wednesday.

Around 70,000 officials, including teachers and policemen, have been deployed to conduct free and fair exams in the state, said Hariharnath Jha, an official of Bihar School Examination Board, which conducts the exams.

According to Jha, deputation of teachers at the examination centre has been done in election style.

The examination centre will be monitored by CCTV cameras to keep records, Jha added.

To curb mass cheating in exams, the authorities have decided to impose a fine of up to Rs.10,000 on students found using unfair means and punish the guardians found helping their child cheating.

Parents, guardians or friends found helping students cheating in the exams will be booked and sent to jail for violating orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting any gathering of five or more people, imposed near the examination centres.

Nearly 11.60 lakh students sat for Class 12 exams at 1,109 centres across the state on Wednesday.

Students caught cheating in the exams would be expelled for three years. Earlier, the board debarred them only for a year, Jha said.

Mass cheating has been reported in Bihar for years and has become an annual affair that hogs the headlines every year in March as reports and visuals surface of guardians and friends helping their wards.

Ahead of the Class 10 exams in March, the education department has directed officials to begin preparations for cheating free exams.