Bhubaneswar: The state government has imposed stricter security guidelines following the question paper leak rumour on the day of the commencement of the matriculation examination on February 23.

The Board of Secondary Education has issued advisories to all centre superintendents to ensure a complete ban on the entry of mobile phones on the premises of matriculation exam centres.

The district education officers have been asked to ensure that the order is implemented in proper letter and spirit.

"During the visit of our officers to different centres, it was found the instructions were not strictly followed. The district education officers and centre superintendents have to ensure that no one carries a mobile phone, even if it is switched off inside the exam centre," said board president Jahan Ara Begum.

Only the centre superintendent is allowed to carry a phone to inform board in case of any exigency.

She said strict action would be taken against the centre superintendents if any violation of the order was found at their centre.

The board has also said that the teachers coming to the exam centres to identify their students would not be allowed on the campus and they should do their work at the entrance and return.

Also, media persons would not be allowed access to the examination halls.

Cases of malpractice would be taken seriously. She said: "Disciplinary action will be initiated against invigilators and centre superintendents if the students at their respective centres are found cheating."

Around 95 squads have been formed to keep vigil on cheating in exam centres.

Pictures of the the question paper of the Modern Indian Language (Odia) paper reportedly surfaced on Whatsapp around two hours after the beginning of the exam triggering paper leak concerns.

The government authorities have denied that the paper had been leaked.

As many as 6.8 lakh students are appearing in the examination at 2,818 centres. The exam is scheduled to end on March 8.