Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 1: The Second Year Pre-University College (PUC) board exams commenced across Karnataka on Saturday, with over seven lakh students appearing for the crucial tests. The state government has implemented stringent security measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa assured that all necessary arrangements had been made to prevent any disruptions. Addressing concerns over protests by Kannada organisations, he stated that while demonstrations were their right, authorities would ensure they did not affect students.

A total of 7,13,862 students are taking the exams, including 3,35,468 boys, 3,78,389 girls, and five transgender candidates. The state has set up 1,171 exam centres, with 2,342 local vigilance squads monitoring the process. Additionally, 76 answer script evaluation centres and 31,000 evaluators have been assigned to oversee the examinations, which will continue until March 20.

The exams began with Kannada and Arabic papers. Meanwhile, the government maintained that the hijab issue remained sub-judice, with no changes to the existing policy.

Several political leaders extended their best wishes to students. Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy encouraged students to approach the exams with confidence, while BJP leaders B. Y. Vijayendra and Basavaraj Bommai also shared motivational messages, urging students to focus on their goals.

For the first time, the Education Department introduced a webcasting surveillance system for Class 12 exams, following its successful implementation for SSLC exams last year. This system will enable real-time monitoring to prevent malpractices.

To maintain security, prohibitory orders have been enforced within a 200-metre radius of examination centres. Authorities have also arranged for video recording of the entire process, from question paper distribution to student evaluation.