THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

The Annual High School Certificate (HSC) Examination 2026 commenced across Odisha on Thursday under an extensive and closely monitored administrative framework, with authorities emphasising transparency, discipline and seamless coordination. Conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, the examinations will continue until March 2, covering lakhs of students across the state.

On the opening day, School and Mass Education Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr. N. Thirumala Naik undertook field visits to multiple examination centres in Bhubaneswar to assess on-ground preparedness and adherence to prescribed norms. He reviewed seating arrangements, security deployment, question paper distribution protocols and other logistical facilities, while interacting with centre superintendents, invigilators, teachers and district officials. Stressing the importance of coordination and strict compliance with examination guidelines, he called for maintaining a calm, fair and malpractice-free environment throughout the examination period. Expressing satisfaction with the arrangements, he reiterated the department’s resolve to ensure that the examinations are conducted peacefully and efficiently.

Dr. Naik also visited the BSE Command Control Room, where he reviewed the real-time monitoring mechanism overseeing examination activities across the state. He assessed surveillance systems, communication networks and coordination measures designed to track the smooth conduct of the examinations and respond promptly to any irregularities.

This year, 5,46,875 students are appearing for the Annual HSC Examination. With the inclusion of candidates from the State Open School Certificate and Madhyama examinations, the total number of examinees has risen to 5,61,979, making it one of the largest school-level assessments in the state.

To manage the massive exercise, the authorities have established 332 nodal centres and 3,082 examination centres across all districts, backed by multi-layered supervision and monitoring arrangements. In a bid to curb malpractice and ensure strict vigilance, 72 district-level flying squads and 37 BSE flying squads have been deployed. Additionally, an observer has been posted at each examination centre to oversee the conduct of the tests and ensure full compliance with norms.

Officials said the combination of physical inspection, flying squads, centre-level observers and centralised digital monitoring through the Command Control Room is expected to strengthen oversight and maintain the integrity of the examination process.