New Delhi, Mar 1 (IANS): Over 22 lakh pupils will be taking the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board examinations for Class 10 and 12 that began here Friday.

For Class 12 students, the first paper is English language and for Class 10 pupils it will be painting.

"Over all 22 lakh students are appearing for the exam this year," a CBSE official told IANS.

"In Class 10, 1,259,202 students will be sitting for the examination, an increase of 6.70 percent over last year. As for Class 12, 942,035 will be taking the examination beginning today (Friday), an increase of 15.51 percent over last year," the official said.

This year, in total 1,286 disabled students are appearing for the examinations.

With English language for Class 12 and painting for Class 10 being the first exams, the stress levels are low among the students.

"Thankfully the first exam (painting) is easy, so I'm getting much time to prepare for my next exam which is mathematics. With a easy subject to start with, it helps you start off well," said 15-year-old Pragya Vats, a student of Sommerville School in east Delhi.

Agreed Renu Singh, a student of Ahlcon Public School in east Delhi: "A good start increases the confidence. With English exams to start with, followed by Functional Physics...I gave more revision time for my second exam."

The board examinations will end April 17 for Class 12 and for Class 10 it ends March 15.