Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education has said examination centres for the Higher Secondary third-semester examinations will be changed if flood conditions develop in any area.

The third-semester Higher Secondary examinations will begin on Monday, September 21.

Council president Mashiur Rahman Sardar said the decision to shift examination centres would be taken if flooding creates difficulties for students at any particular centre.

This year, the examination will be conducted using OMR sheets, with the council introducing several measures to strengthen security and prevent question paper leaks.

Key examination guidelines

  • Exam date: The third-semester examinations begin on September 21.
  • Entry time: Students will be allowed to enter examination centres from 10 am.
  • Question paper opening: Seals on question paper packets will be opened at 10:55 am in front of the students.
  • Exam timing: The examination will begin at 11 am.
  • Question paper security: Every question paper will carry a unique serial number.
  • Verification: Signatures of two students will be collected as proof after the question paper seals are opened.
  • Mobile phones: Students caught carrying mobile phones at the examination centre will have all their examinations cancelled.
  • Security checks: Teachers and non-teaching staff will frisk students using metal detectors before allowing them to enter.
  • CCTV surveillance: CCTV cameras will be installed at every examination centre.
  • Flood-hit centres: Examination centres may be changed if flood conditions develop in the area.

The council has also opened a help desk for students seeking information or assistance related to the examinations.

The help desk numbers are 033-23370792 and 6289886606. The control room can be contacted at 033-23379661.

Admit card issue

The examination schedule has been revised twice this year, resulting in admit cards also being changed twice.

There have been complaints that some schools have not yet been able to print and distribute the latest admit cards to students.

The council, however, has clarified that students will be allowed to enter examination centres by showing the admit card issued during the first round.

Answer scripts to be sent by post

The procedure for transporting answer scripts has also been changed this year.

Previously, answer scripts were sent by train to the council's regional offices. From this year, they will be sent by post.

Since students will answer questions on OMR sheets, the answer scripts will be evaluated using machines for the first time.

Over 7 lakh students to appear

A total of 7,18,620 students are scheduled to appear for the third-semester examinations this year.

According to council data:

  • Male students: 3,15,731
  • Female students: 4,02,889
  • Total candidates: 7,18,620
  • Sensitive examination centres: 99

The council has said that security arrangements have been strengthened across examination centres ahead of the commencement of the third-semester examinations.