The annual Matric Examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha commenced on Thursday, with as many as 5,61,979 students appearing at 3,082 examination centres across the state.
The examination began at 9 am amid elaborate arrangements made by the Board and the School and Mass Education Department to ensure smooth and transparent conduct. The timing for the exams is scheduled from 9 am to 11:30 am.
Authorities informed that question papers were dispatched from nodal centres and delivered to examination centres at the designated time. As per guidelines, question paper packets are being opened in the presence of the centre superintendent and students to maintain transparency.
To curb malpractice, officials and examination staff have been barred from carrying mobile phones. A three-tier squad system has been deployed for monitoring, along with special vigilance teams conducting surprise inspections at centres statewide.
The Board has incorporated QR codes and watermark technology into the question papers as an additional layer of security. Superintendents have been directed to submit daily reports after each examination.
An advanced command and control room has been set up at the Board headquarters in Cuttack, where authorities are maintaining 24-hour surveillance. AI-enabled CCTV cameras are monitoring activities from the opening of question paper packets to student movements inside examination halls.
On the first day, candidates appeared for the MIL (Odia) paper. The Matric Examination will continue until March 2.
Students were seen arriving early at examination centres, with gates opening at 7:30 am. Candidates underwent thorough frisking before entering the halls. In several locations, teachers were seen offering prasad and applying tilak to students as a gesture of encouragement before the exams.
