BSEB intermediate, matric compartment exams from May 2; 1.38 lakh to appear, CCTV watch at centres

The Bihar School Examination Board(BSEB) will begin the intermediate and matric special as well as compartmental examinations 2026 from May 2 across the state in two daily sessions.

As per the board notice, district administrations, police authorities, district education officers and all designated centre superintendents have been issued operational directions for conducting the examinations under enhanced surveillance and restricted-entry arrangements.

BSEB in its official notice said that board chairman Anand Kishor has directed that all candidates must report at their allotted centres at least one hour before the examination, while the main gate of every examination venue will be shut 30 minutes prior to commencement.

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The board has also warned that any candidate attempting forceful or unauthorised entry after closure will face debarment for two years and criminal proceedings. Similar action has been prescribed against centre officials found facilitating such entry.

BSES said that as part of tightened examination security, Bihar Board has mandated two-level frisking of every candidate, CCTV camera installation, videography coverage, restricted mobile phone access inside halls and enforcement of Section 163 around centres to prohibit unauthorised movement. The board further stated that one invigilator will inspect every batch of 25 students and certify that no objectionable material is being carried into the hall.

BSEB Intermediate, Matric 2026: Over 1.38 lakh candidates

As per the board, the intermediate special examination will have 6,500 candidates while 63,793 students will appear in the intermediate compartmental exam, taking the total Intermediate examinee count to 70,293. For these candidates, 120 centres have been created statewide.

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In the matric exam, 6,034 students will sit for the special examination and 62,581 for the compartmental examination making the total matric count to 68,615, for which 159 centres have been designated across Bihar.

Key examination schedule highlights include:

• May 2 first shift (9:30 am to 12:45 pm): Hindi and mother tongue language papers
• May 2 second shift (2 pm to 5:15 pm): Biology, History, English and second language papers depending on stream
• Intermediate practical exams: May 13 and May 14
• Intermediate exams conclude: May 11
• Matric exams conclude: May 6

The board has also provided an additional 15 minutes reading time before each paper. Candidate photographs and personal details will remain pre-printed on both OMR sheets and answer booklets to strengthen identification checks.

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BSEB compartment: Writer facility for disabled candidates

For specially abled candidates, BSEB said writer or scribe assistance will be arranged through district education officers on the basis of prior application. Such candidates will also receive compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour.

To monitor the entire examination cycle, the board has established a central control room that will remain operational from 6 am to 10 pm every day till May 15 for grievance reporting and coordination with district authorities.