Biometric Attendance and Digital Marking Punjab’s New Exam SOPs

Key Transparency Measures

• Biometric Verification: For the first time, biometric attendance has been made mandatory for candidates at sensitive examination centers. More than 6,000 students have already undergone biometric registration to prevent impersonation and organized cheating.
• School-Based Assessment SBA Validation: To ensure the accuracy of local results, 25% of schools across Punjab will have their exam papers selected for independent validation. This step is designed to prevent inflated or fabricated marking at the institutional level.
• CCTV & Real-Time Monitoring: All examination halls are now required to have CCTV cameras connected to a central online monitoring system. This allows authorities to observe exam proceedings in real-time and take immediate action against any irregularities.
• Centralized Digital Marking: The traditional manual paper-marking system is being replaced by digital "on-screen" marking. Answer sheets will be scanned and evaluated on computers with automated totaling, which aims to eliminate calculation errors and standardized grading.

New Rules for Practical Examinations

• Component Split: The 30 marks for practicals are now divided into two parts. The written portion of the practical will be checked through the boards central marking system.
• Restricted Examiner Authority: Examiners present at the center can now only award a limited number of marks based on viva voce and hands-on performance, rather than having the power to grant full marks arbitrarily.

Accountability for School Heads and Officials