Patna: The second day of the Class 10 board examinations conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board began on Wednesday with Mathematics papers scheduled in both shifts across the state. Around 1.5 million candidates are appearing at 1,699 centres, officials said.
The first shift is being held from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm, with entry closing at 9:00 am, while the second shift will run from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm. Authorities have directed students to strictly follow reporting times and exam guidelines to avoid disqualification.
The examination schedule comes a day after a tragic incident in which a student from Masaurhi allegedly died by suicide after missing her exam. The girl, identified as Komal Kumari from Kharjama village, had travelled to a relative’s home near her examination centre in Barni. Her reporting time was 9:00 am, but she reached at 9:10 am and was denied entry as gates had already closed. After returning home, she later boarded a train and reportedly jumped from it between Taregana and Masaurhi Court stations. She was taken to hospital by police but succumbed to her injuries.
This year, approximately 1.512 million candidates are taking the matriculation examination, with female candidates outnumbering males. About 758,000 students are appearing in the first shift and 754,000 in the second.
The board has issued strict instructions prohibiting students from wearing shoes and socks at examination centres to simplify security checks. Officials warned that failure to follow the prescribed dress code may lead to entry issues.
Security arrangements have been intensified across districts, including the state capital Patna, where nearly 71,000 students are appearing at 70 centres. Four model centres have also been set up with all-female staff, help desks, decorations, and additional security measures to ensure a safe and orderly environment.
On the first day of the exams, several incidents of students attempting to enter centres after closing time were reported from multiple districts. In Siwan, a candidate went live on Facebook from inside an examination hall. In Buxar and Begusarai, students were seen climbing walls to gain entry. Similar cases were reported from Gopalganj and Munger, prompting authorities to reiterate their appeal for students to arrive early and comply with rules to ensure smooth conduct of the examinations.
