Prayagraj, Feb. 15 -- The Uttar Pradesh Board has announced strict action against students and invigilators if currency notes are found inside answer sheets during the 2026 High School and Intermediate examinations beginning February 18. For the first time, the Board has decided to hold both examinees and room invigilators accountable for the practice, treating it as the use of unfair means under the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Responsibility will be fixed on the candidate as well as the invigilator concerned. Incidents of currency notes, often tucked into answer sheets for tougher subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and English, have been reported frequently in recent years. The practice saw a spike in 2017, when more than two dozen cases involving Rs.2,000 notes were reported from three districts: Ghazipur, Etawah and Faizabad. In a circular sent to all district inspectors of schools (DIOS) on February 12, Board secretary Bhagwati Singh directed that any such case be treated with zero tolerance. He emphasised that ensuring transparency in the compilation and evaluation of answer sheets is essential to uphold the integrity of UP Board examinations. If a currency note is found inside an answer sheet, the incident will be classified as the use of unfair means. Legal action will be initiated against the examinee, while the concerned invigilator will face departmental proceedings for negligence. The recovered currency must be deposited immediately in the treasury in accordance with the rules, and the case reported without delay to the DIOS for further action under the 2024 Act....