Bhubaneswar, Nov. 9: The Council of Higher Secondary Education today announced dates for the annual Plus Two examinations - theory and practical - and the dates for filling application forms for the purpose.

The theory examinations will begin from March 6 next year while the process of filling up application forms will begin from November 16.

"Theory examinations for arts, science, commerce and vocational education streams will be held from March 6 to 28 between 10am and 1pm," said council chairman Basudev Chhatoi.

Practical examinations will be held prior to the theory examination and have been scheduled between January 18 and 25.

The council decided not to postpone the exams, as it would clash with the rural polls, and conclude the process by March-end, Chhatoi said. He added that postponing the examination would affect students, as there were several national-level examinations lined up in June and therefore, the results had to be published within a stipulated period.

"The results of the science stream will be declared first in May so that the students who want to take entrance exams can do so," said Chattoi. The council had initially planned to hold exams for first-year students as well but postponed it to next year after they failed to make much headway.

The online application process for the High School Certificate examinations, 2017, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education began today and will continue till November 17. The matriculation exams will begin on February 28 and end on March 20.