Odisha BSE Matric exam begins; over 5.61 lakh students appear across 3,082 centres

The annual Matric Examination, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha began on Thursday with 5,61,979 students appearing at 3,082 centres across the state. 

The examination began at 9 am amid extensive arrangements by the Board and the School and Mass Education Department to ensure smooth and orderly conduct.

Extensive Preparations And Monitoring Mechanism

Authorities stated that question papers were dispatched from nodal centres and would reach examination centres at the designated time. The packets will be opened in the presence of the centre superintendent and students, in keeping with prescribed norms.

The examination is timing is set from 9 am to 11.30 am. Officials and staff engaged in examination duties have been barred from using mobile phones. To prevent malpractice, a three-tier squad system has been put in place, while special vigilance teams are visiting centres across the state.

QR codes and watermark systems have been incorporated into the question papers as an additional security measure. Superintendents have been directed to submit daily reports to the Board after the conclusion of each examination.

An advanced command and control room has been established at the Board headquarters in Cuttack. From there, authorities are maintaining 24-hour surveillance over all examination and nodal centres. AI-enabled CCTV cameras are monitoring activities from the opening of question paper packets to movements within examination halls.

Students Arrive Early Amid Strict Checking

On the first day, students will appear for the MIL (Odia) paper. The Matriculation Examination will continue until March 2.

Reports indicated that students were seen waiting outside examination centres at the reporting time. The gates were opened at 07:30 am, following which candidates were allowed entry. 

Students underwent thorough frisking before entering examination halls. In several places, teachers were seen offering prasad and applying tilak to students as a gesture of encouragement before the examination.