Bihar Board Intermediate Exams begin
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Bihar School Examination Board’s (BSEB) also known as Bihar Board Intermediate Annual Examination 2026 commenced on Monday amid stringent security arrangements at examination centres across the state. On the first day, Biology and Philosophy papers were held in the first sitting, while the Economics examination was scheduled for the second sitting.
The Board said elaborate measures had been put in place to ensure that the examinations are conducted peacefully and free from malpractice. At the Miller High School examination centre in Patna, the gates were closed sharp at 9 am. Several candidates who arrived wearing shoes and socks were stopped, as footwear is not permitted inside the examination hall. Teachers asked them to remove their shoes and socks at the gate before allowing entry barefoot.
During frisking, some candidates were found carrying unauthorised slips. In such cases, teachers carried out thorough checks to recover the concealed material, reflecting the Board’s zero-tolerance approach towards unfair means.
Female candidates who arrived wearing hijab were allowed entry only after removing it, in line with examination guidelines. As per the schedule, the first sitting was held from 9.30 am to 12.45 pm, while the second sitting, featuring the Economics paper, is being conducted from 2 pm to 5.15 pm.
Large crowds of candidates were seen outside examination centres from early morning. In several districts, latecomers were denied entry for the first sitting. BSEB chairman Anand Kishor reiterated that mobile phones and all kinds of electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside examination halls. Except for the centre superintendent, no official, teacher, staff member or candidate is allowed to carry a mobile phone. Calculators, Bluetooth devices, earphones and other electronic items are also banned.
The chairman further clarified that the main gate of each examination centre is closed half an hour before the start of the examination. Candidates have been instructed to reach their centres at least one hour in advance. Those arriving late will not be permitted entry under any circumstances, and any attempt to force entry will lead to debarment from Board examinations for the next two years.
According to Board instructions, candidates are being frisked at two levels at all centres. CCTV cameras and videography arrangements have been made statewide. Kishor warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found indulging in irregularities, adding that the government’s zero-tolerance policy on malpractice is being enforced under the Bihar Examination Conduct Act, 1981. District magistrates and superintendents of police have been directed to remain mobile and ensure continuous monitoring during the examination period.
For the Intermediate Annual Examination 2026, a total of 1,762 examination centres have been set up across Bihar with adequate administrative and police deployment. This year, 1,317,846 candidates are appearing for the examination, including 675,844 girls and 642,002 boys. In Patna district alone, 73,963 candidates are taking the exam at 84 centres. The chairman noted that the higher number of girl candidates reflects the positive impact of state government schemes aimed at women’s empowerment.
To set an example, four model examination centres have been established in each district, taking the total to 152 across the state. These centres are exclusively for female candidates and are staffed entirely by women magistrates, teachers and security personnel.
Kishor also said that each candidate has been provided with pre-printed answer books and OMR sheets bearing their name, details and photograph. The answer books and OMR sheets already carry the candidate’s name, roll code, roll number, subject code and examination date, eliminating the possibility of discrepancies.
About the Author
