The annual Higher Secondary Examination is set to commence on February 18, while the annual Secondary Examination, along with the State Open School Certificate and Madhyama exams, will begin on February 19.
In a bid to ensure orderly and disciplined conduct of these crucial exams, Chief Secretary Anu Garg today chaired a review meeting on the preparations. She sternly warned that any form of negligence in exam management would not be tolerated, emphasising the importance of these exams for the students’ future. Garg advised all involved parties to perform their duties with utmost caution and diligence.
The meeting, held virtually, saw participation from all district collectors, additional district collectors, and superintendents of police across the state. Key education officials were also present, including School and Mass Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) Chairman Mrinal Kanti Das, Examination Controller Prashant Kumar Parida, and Deputy Secretary Yashwant Samal. From the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), President Srikant Tarai, Vice-President Amulya Kumar Pradhan, and Examination Controller Chakradhar Behera attended and provided detailed updates on the arrangements for fair exam conduct.
This year’s Higher Secondary Exam-2026 will see a total of 4,16,623 candidates appearing: 2,56,707 in Arts, 24,621 in Commerce, 1,14,363 in Science, and 5,932 in Vocational streams. To facilitate this, 211 exam management hubs, 1,357 exam centers, and 7 sub-centers have been arranged. The exams will run for 23 days, from February 18 to March 28, 2026.
Similarly, the annual Secondary Certificate Exam will start on February 19 and conclude on March 2, 2026. It will involve 5,46,875 candidates, with the total rising to 5,61,979 when including the Open School Certificate and Madhyama exams. Across all districts, there are 322 nodal centers, 3,082 exam centers, and 50 evaluation centers in place.
Discussions in the meeting covered comprehensive security and logistics, starting from the dispatch of question papers from the BSE headquarters’ strong room in Cuttack to nodal centers with armed police escorts. Emphasis was placed on smooth exam administration, supervision, and security at centers. All nodal and exam centers will have 24-hour security and CCTV surveillance from question paper receipt to answer sheet collection. Mobile phones and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside exam centers. Violations of exam rules will attract action under the Odisha Conduct of Examinations Act, 1988, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Chief Secretary Garg directed strict adherence to guidelines, ensuring that district collectors, SPs, and nodal officers have the exam management manual and follow it meticulously. Dr. Naik appealed for cooperation from all stakeholders for disciplined conduct and advised district administrations and police to prevent unnecessary crowds at centers.
