The Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education issued a circular to all schools in Mumbai banning students from drawing religious symbols on their exam papers.

The circular stating the rule was put up at exam centres on Wednesday. The board specified that if any such symbols were found 'anywhere on the exam paper' the student would be disqualified for 'cheating'.

The board observed that sometimes students draw the Om or cross symbol on their answer sheets to influence evaluators. They added that students also use these symbols to pass on information to other students.

Board members claimed that drawing such symbols is tantamount to disclosing one's name and number on the exam sheets as it indicates the student's caste/religion.

They added that this rule was not new and was stated on the back of all the hall tickets.

The SSC exams started in the city on Tuesday.