Bhubaneswar: The annual Matric Examination, conducted by Board of Secondary Education (BSE), began amidst tight security today.

As per the schedule, the examinations-- High Certificate Examination (HSC), State Open School Certificate Examination and Madhyama (Sanskrit) Exam--began at 8 am .While duration of the exams is 8 am-10 am, timing of some of examinations is less than two hours and will be completed by 9 am or 9.30 am. Only Mathematics paper will continue till 10.15 am.

A total of 5,85,730 students are appearing in the examinations at 3,540 centres  across the state. More than 35,000 teachers have been engaged to supervise the examinations.

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To check malpractices, 38 special squads have been formed by the Board and 65 flying squads at district education officer (DEO) level. All district administrations have been asked to to send squads to supervise examinations within their jurisdiction.

Besides, round-the-clock security arrangements have been made at all Nodal centres while exam centres will remain under security cover from 6 am to 12 noon all examination days. CCTVs have been installed at the examination and nodal centres across the state.

In view of the heatwave condition, authorities concerned have been asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply and availability of drinking water at the exam centres.