Matric exams began smoothly across Odisha


At least 150 students were booked under ''malpractice'' for adopting unfair means and copying on the first day of the Matriculation Examination, which began in 2,882 examination centres across Odisha today.

The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) Odisha, which conducts the examination in the state, reaffirmed it was determined to completely curb the malpractice menace by students, while writing their final school leaving examination.

"Our squads have booked a total of 151 students under malpractice on the first day of the examination," said BSE president D P Nanda hoping the numbers would drastically come down in the days to come.

Notably, at least 300 students were caught adopting unfair means on the first day of the Matriculation examination last year.

A little over six lakh students were appearing for the examination this year, which would continue till March 4.

Apart from some minor hiccups, the examination went off smoothly on the day across the state, including in the Maoist-afflicted districts, officials said.