Students at a Plus Two examination centre in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, March 11: Students were seen making their way anxiously into the examination halls for the Plus Two examinations of Orissa Council of Higher Secondary Education that commenced today.

“I have prepared the best I can, but will still be nervous till I get the question papers are in hand,” said Nayan, a student of Ramadevi College.

Over 2.5 lakh students from across the state appeared for the examinations, which will continue till April 4 in two sittings - from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm. The practical examinations are scheduled to begin from March 30 to April 11.

The first day saw students of the science stream appearing for the MIL Oriya papers in the first sitting, while students from all three streams namely arts, science and commerce appeared for the other language paper during the second sitting.

“Exams went off smoothly with no untoward incidents reported from anywhere.

“No incidents of malpractice have been reported from anywhere as yet,” confirmed controller of examinations, J Behera.

Of the major changes introduced this year, one was the change in practice of distributing the question papers 15 minutes before the exams start. “This was done because students did not find the practice useful,” said Behera.

About 80 teachers have been put to duty as squads today.While 57,116 students will appear for examinations of the science stream this year, 1,63,047 students will appear for arts.

Similarly 23,134 students will appear for commerce and 7,434 students will appear for vocational examinations.

Our correspondent

Bhubaneswar, March 11: Anxious students were seen making their way into the exam halls for the +2 exams Orissa Council of Higher Secondary Education that commenced today.

“I have prepared by best but will the nervousness will stay till the question papas are in hand,”said Nayan, a student outside the exam hall at Ramadevi college.

Over 2.5 lakhs students from across the state today appeared for the exams that will continue till April 4 in two sittings from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm. The practical examinations are scheduled from March 30 to April 11.

The first day saw students of the science stream appearing for the MIL Oriya papers in the first sitting while students from all the three streams including arts science and commerce appeared for the other language paper during the second sitting.

“Exams passed off smoothly with no untoward incidents reported from anywhere. No incidents of malpractice have been reported from anywhere as yet,” confirmed controller of examinations J Behera. Of the major changes introduced this year was the change in practice of distributing the question papers 15 minutes before the exams start. “This was done because students did not find the practice useful,” said Behera.

About 80 teachers have been pressed as squads today .

While 57,116 students will appear for science this year, 1,63,047 students will appear for arts. Similarly 23,134 students will appear for commerce and 7,434 students will appear for vocational exam.