Bhubaneswar: The Council of Higher Secondary Education has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the Plus Two examinations that begin on March 6.

The first lot of question papers has already reached 202 examination management hubs and kept under tight security. School and mass education minister Badri Narayan Patra, along with the department's additional chief secretary and principal secretary, directed all district collectors, police superintendents, regional directors of education and hub supervisors to take all measures for fair conduct of the examination.

The department of higher education has also instructed all colleges to extend their assistance to the officials.

The council has organised flying squads at its central office, three zone offices and district level to curb malpractice.

Besides, the hubs will send observers to all centres to ensure all council rules are followed. The observers will report to the authorities. All attempts will be taken to maintain quality.

"We have warned candidates of stern action if found indulging in malpractice. Except the centre superintendent, examination centre officials, teachers, employees, squad members and the candidates have been directed not to carry mobile phones. All centre superintendents will enforce the rule," said council chairman Amarendra Patnaik.

"The candidates will have to use black ball point pens as it will facilitate better image quality of scanned answer scripts. The centre superintendents will put up the instructions for candidates through posters, notice or signage," he added.

In a related development, the Board of Secondary Education found itself in another controversy after the annual High School Certificate mathematics question paper allegedly leaked on social media on Saturday.

Sources alleged that the papers had been circulated from an exam centre at Odapada block in Kendrapara.

The tehsildar and district magistrate, as well as staff members deployed in the centre, were present at the time images of the paper went viral. It has also been alleged that a few question papers were sent inside the hall with the answers marked on them.

Sources said the exam began at 9.30am and by 9.54am, the papers were available on WhatsApp.