Cuttack: Educationists, teachers, parents, authorities of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) and the Odisha government heaved a sigh of relief as students writing the Matriculation examinations which began today, welcomed the new format of exam.
More than 5.5 lakh regular students wrote the first paper of the examination on the day wherein the answers were to be given in two separate sheets.
Multiple choice questions were answered on OMR sheets and the questions having long answers were written on a separate answer sheet.
BSE, which conducts the matriculation examinations in the state, said the first day's exams went off smoothly and they were satisfied with their hard work as the students welcomed the new format saying the instructions were clear and the process was hassle-free.
However, some students were booked for adopting unfair means during the examination.
"At least 267 students were booked for adopting unfair means during the examination on the day," said BSE president D P Nanda.
The examination for ex-regular students would begin from tomorrow, Nanda said adding the examinations would continue till March 11.
This year nearly 6.14 lakh students have filled up forms to appear for the examinations in regular, ex-regular and madhyama streams.