Exuding confidence to rehabilitate herself in the society and lead a respectful life, Girijabai, a murder convict, is busy preparing for her board exams for Class XII.

So are almost 100 inmates, lodged in central and district jails, who are burning midnight oil readying for different examinations.

Most of the inmates are pursuing long distances courses from various universities. Eight of them will appear for annual examinations. Talking to TOI, Girjabai, wife of Tej Kumar said, "Apart from keeping me busy, education also inculcates a sense of dignity in me." Girjabai, who was convicted under Sections 302 and 309 of the IPC and is serving a life sentence, has already cleared Class X exam a couple of years ago.

Excited about being tagged a graduate, another convict in the district jail, Sandeep, son of Mukesh, too is ready to take the final graduation examination. He was transferred from Ujjain jail to district jail, Indore, on February 2 this year.

"He is happy about the fact that he would soon be known as a graduate," said a cop serving at the jail.

Similarly, Shailendra, son of Mathura Prasad, who is being tried under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC has been poring over books to make sure that he clears his Class X board examination. Two of his inmates in the district jail -- Rudraksh alias Happy and Jeetu alias Jitendra -- are appearing for the B Com first-year annual examinations. Rudraksh is being tried under Sections 364 A, 365 and 212 while Jitu under Sections 342, 377 and 506 of the IPC.

The scene is no different in the Central Jail, Indore, where three inmates will be taking various examinations. Gowardhan Singh, son of Manohar Singh, and Ranveer Singh, son of Ashok Singh, are appearing for the ongoing higher secondary examination. Both are being tried under various Sections of the IPC and the Arms Act.

Another inmate Shankar Sharma, son of Radheshyam Sharma, will appear for B Com second-year examination. He is being tried under Sections 302 of the IPC and 25 of the Arms Act.

Jail superintendent Dinesh Nargawe said the efforts by the jail inmates generate a positive wave on the premises.

"I try to provide them all necessary facilities along with discussing question papers so that they could get involved in the studies and prepare seriously for examinations."