Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19 -- The annual Matric Examination, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha began on Thursday with 5,61,979 students appearing at 3,082 centres across the state.

The examination began at 9 am amid extensive arrangements by the Board and the School and Mass Education Department to ensure smooth and orderly conduct.

Authorities stated that question papers were dispatched from nodal centres and would reach examination centres at the designated time. The packets will be opened in the presence of the centre superintendent and students, in keeping with prescribed norms.

The examination is timing is set from 9 am to 11.30 am. Officials and staff engaged in examination duties have been barred from using m...