Last minute preparations, teachers' tips, and prayers on first day of Board Exams 2017

Students in Tiruchy sit on the school grounds engaged in some last minute preparations. (M K Ashok Kumar | EPS)

Students take the blessings of their teacher right before the first board exam in Chennai's Lady Sivasami school. (Ashwin Prasath | EPS)

Boys take some last minute tips from their teacher in Chennai. (Ashwin Prasath | EPS)

Girls offer stationery they carry for the board exams at Muktheeswarar temple in Madurai before appearing for the first examination. (K K Sundar | EPS)

A student appearing for the board exams takes his mother's blessings before entering the exam hall in Chennai. (Ashwin Prasath | EPS)

Before writing the 12th standard examination, a group of girl students take a group photo at an exam centre in Madurai. (K K Sundar | EPS)

Another student falls at her teacher's feet to seek blessings before entering the exam hall in Chennai. (Ashwin Prasath | EPS)