Patna: The Intermediate examinations conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board began on Monday, February 2, but the first day was marred by confusion, delays and complaints from students across Patna and several other districts.
At multiple examination centres, strict frisking and entry protocols led to long queues, with dozens of candidates reportedly missing their papers after arriving late or being held up during security checks. The board has made it clear that no student would be allowed entry after the reporting deadline, regardless of the reason.
A controversy erupted at an examination centre in Shastri Nagar, Patna, where some Muslim female students alleged they were asked to remove their hijabs before entering the examination hall. The students objected, calling the demand unnecessary and distressing. Centre officials, however, maintained that the checks were part of standard security procedures and applied uniformly.
At other centres in Patna, Gopalganj and Jamui, students were required to remove shoes, belts, pencil boxes and pouches before entering the halls. Many candidates were forced to sit for the exam barefoot, triggering resentment, particularly as cold weather conditions persisted across the state.
Isolated instances of disorganisation were also reported. In Patna, a female student arrived during the first shift despite her examination being scheduled for the second. Another student was denied entry after reaching the centre late, prompting emotional scenes as her mother pleaded unsuccessfully with security personnel at the gate.
Officials reiterated that attempts to force entry or disrupt examination procedures could result in police action, including the registration of an FIR.
Alongside these incidents, the board highlighted arrangements at designated model examination centres, particularly in Patna, where only female candidates were appearing. These centres featured additional identification measures, including forehead markings, and were decorated with flowers and balloons as part of efforts to ensure smoother conduct.
According to the board, the Intermediate examinations are being held in two shifts across 1,762 centres statewide, with a total of 13,17,846 candidates appearing — including 6,75,844 female and 642,002 male students. On the first day, Biology was held in the morning shift and Economics in the afternoon.
The board said that 50% of the questions in each subject would be objective in nature and that candidates were given an additional 15 minutes to read the question paper and fill in OMR details. Mobile phones remain strictly prohibited, and two invigilators have been deployed in each examination room to enforce discipline and prevent malpractice.
