Archive · 21 Sep 2026
West Bengal Semester III Exams Begin With 7.18 Lakh Students
West Bengal’s Higher Secondary Semester III exams began on September 21.
More than 7.18 lakh students took the first language test.
The test lasted from 11 am to 12.30 pm.
Exams were held at hundreds of centres and venues across the state.
Students used OMR sheets for the first time in these semester exams.
Mobile phones, calculators and other electronic devices were not allowed.
Officials used metal detectors and CCTV cameras to improve security.
Question papers were opened in front of students to help prevent cheating and leaks.
No serious problems were reported on the first day.
A total of 7,18,620 students appeared for the first language paper.
The examination was held from 11 am to 12.30 pm at 825 centres and 2,105 venues.
The exams run from September 21 to October 14, with schedule changes for by-elections and holidays.
Semester III exams are using OMR sheets for evaluation for the first time.
No untoward incident was reported, with security measures including frisking, CCTV surveillance and sealed question-paper packets.
- Who
- A total of 7,18,620 Higher Secondary students, under the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, took the first language paper.
- What
- The Higher Secondary Semester III examinations began with the first language paper.
- When
- The examination began on September 21; the full schedule runs through October 14.
- Where
- The exams were held at 825 centres covering 2,105 venues in West Bengal.
- Why
- The semester examinations are part of the system for Classes 11 and 12; schedule changes were made because of by-elections and holidays, while security measures aimed to prevent malpractice and question-paper leaks.
- Candidates
- 7,18,620 students appeared for the first language paper.
- Gender breakdown
- 3,15,731 male students and 4,02,889 female students appeared.
- Exam timing
- 11 am to 12.30 pm.
- Exam period
- September 21 to October 14.
- Examination locations
- 825 centres and 2,105 venues, including 99 identified as sensitive.
- Answer-sheet system
- OMR sheets were used for evaluation for the first time.
- Security
- Two invigilators were assigned to each room, with a ratio of one invigilator per 20 students.