RANCHI: The much-anticipated annual Matric and Intermediate examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) kicked off across the state on Tuesday, drawing a massive participation of 7,58,182 students. Officials have assured that stringent measures are in place to ensure the exams proceed smoothly, fairly, and transparently.
On the inaugural day, Matric students tackled IT and vocational subjects, while Intermediate examinees from all streams focused solely on vocational papers. The Matric exams will run until February 17, and Intermediate until February 23. Breaking down the numbers, 4,23,861 students are appearing for Matric, and 3,34,321 for Intermediate. To accommodate them, authorities have set up 1,232 centers for Matric and 757 for Intermediate.
Security is paramount, with CCTV cameras installed at every center to curb cheating. Exams are scheduled in two shifts: Matric from 9:45 AM to 12:35 PM, and Intermediate from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. An extra 15 minutes is granted for reading question papers, helping students ease into the mental pressure.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged students, parents, teachers, exam staff, and citizens to cooperate for seamless conduct. He emphasized the state government’s commitment to quality education and human resource development through a cheating-free environment. JAC has issued stern warnings against circulating fake or old question papers on social media platforms like YouTube, Telegram, and WhatsApp, classifying such acts as serious offenses under the IT Act 2000 and Indian Penal Code.
Perpetrators face rigorous legal action, potential shutdown of offending groups or channels, and public naming. The council appeals to the public to maintain peace around exam centers, report suspicious activities promptly, and rely only on official updates. A toll-free helpline stands ready to assist examinees.
As Jharkhand’s young aspirants put pen to paper, the state watches closely, hoping for a milestone in educational integrity and student success.