BHUBANESWAR: Ahead of the Annual Higher Secondary Examination (AHSE) 2026, the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) on Tuesday warned that students found in possession of electronic gadgets at the examination centres will be treated as adopting malpractice.
The exam is slated to be held from February 18 to March 21. Issuing guidelines for smooth conduct of the exam for Plus II final year students, the council stated that no student will be allowed to carry any paper other than the admit card. They will also not be allowed to carry electronic devices including mobile phone, pager and imaging gadget to the examination centres.
It said squad members and officials engaged for exam duty will check students both at the entrance gate and door of the exam hall. As a final warning, the invigilator will read out a message for all in the examination hall seeking handover of such device or paper, in case any student possesses them. However, if the same is recovered after commencement of the exam, it will be treated as adopting malpractice, the council warned.
It further asked the centre superintendents to ensure proper functioning of CCTVs at all examination halls and centres, and to make sure that question papers are opened and distributed and answer sheets collected under camera surveillance.
The CHSE has also stressed on proper seating arrangements in all examination centres, specifying that a student should ordinarily be allowed a floor space of 7.5 sq ft while appearing for the test.
“If the seating arrangement is found to have been done in a scattered manner, steps will be taken for cancellation of the sitting and the school will also be dropped as an examination centre,” the Council warned.
The council asked officials to ensure no examinee is allowed to enter the examination hall half an hour after commencement of the exam. Entry of officials into the examination centres will also be strictly regulated and no unauthorised person will be allowed during the examination period, half an hour before its commencement and at least half an hour after completion of each sitting.
CHSE officials said the centre superintendents have been designated as the chief authority at examination centres and are required to maintain complete secrecy regarding the appointment of invigilators, seating arrangements, reports of malpractice etc.
Like previous years, the council has this year too, barred any higher secondary school head whose near relative is appearing in the exam from accepting the role of centre superintendent.
A total of 4,00,736 students including 2,56,042 in arts, 1,14,238 in science, 24,533 in commerce and 5,923 in vocational education, have filled up forms to appear for the exam this year.
EXAM GUIDELINES
No student allowed to carry any paper/electronic device other than admit card
Squad members, officials on exam duty to check students at entrance gate, exam hall door
Stress laid on ensuring proper functioning of CCTVs at all exam centres and halls
Each student should be allowed floor space of 7.5 sq ft
No examinee to be allowed to enter exam hall half an hour after commencement of exam