West Bengal Higher Secondary Exams Witness Significant Female Participation Surge
The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) is gearing up for the upcoming higher secondary examinations, scheduled to run from February 12 to 27, 2026. This year's exams present a remarkable demographic shift, with female candidates significantly outnumbering their male counterparts across all districts of the state.
Gender Disparity in Exam Participation
A total of 7.10 lakh students will be appearing for the examinations, with girls constituting 55.60% of the total examinees. Specifically, 395,079 girls are registered compared to 315,732 boys, resulting in 79,347 more female candidates. WBCHSE President Chiranjib Bhattacharya confirmed this trend, stating that girls outnumber boys in every district without exception.
Enhanced Security Protocols Implemented
In response to previous security concerns, the Council has implemented stringent measures to ensure the integrity of the examination process. All 2,103 examination venues—comprising 822 main centers and 104 sensitive locations identified by the District Inspector of Schools—will feature comprehensive CCTV surveillance.
CCTV cameras have been mandated at entry gates and inside confidential rooms where question papers are stored. This surveillance system, first introduced in 2024, aims to maintain question paper confidentiality and prevent malpractice. Venue supervisors must securely store all CCTV footage for one month post-exams, with authorities retaining the right to inspect recordings as needed.
Metal Detectors and Electronic Device Ban
Additional security measures include the installation of metal detectors at all examination center entrances. Each venue will have two metal detectors—one provided by the Board and another purchased by the respective school. Teaching and non-teaching staff will conduct student frisking, with police intervention authorized for uncooperative candidates.
The Council has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward electronic devices. "If any candidate is found with any form of electronic gadgets, their enrolment and the entire examination will be cancelled this year," emphasized Bhattacharya. This strict prohibition applies equally to examiners and candidates.
Examination Structure and Logistics
The Class 12 examinations will be conducted simultaneously in three formats:
- Semester IV: Regular examinations from 10 AM to 12 PM (vocational subjects, music, and visual arts from 10 AM to 11:15 AM)
- Semester III Supplementary: Examinations from 1 PM to 2:15 PM (vocational subjects, music, and visual arts from 1 PM to 1:45 PM)
- Old System: Examinations from 10 AM to 1:15 PM, with students required to arrive by 9 AM
To prevent confusion among the different examination streams, the Board will provide color-coded cloth bags and question papers: white for Semester IV, yellow for Semester III supplementary, and blue for the old system.
Invigilation and Staffing Concerns
Approximately 35,000 invigilators will be required to oversee the examinations. When questioned about potential teacher shortages due to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Bhattacharya expressed confidence that adequate staffing would be available. "The state and district administration have been informed. The district inspector, secondary education, is looking into the matter. If there is any scarcity, then secondary and primary section teachers will be deputed for invigilation duty," he assured.
The Council remains committed to ensuring smooth examination proceedings despite the logistical challenges posed by multiple examination formats and enhanced security requirements. These measures reflect West Bengal's ongoing efforts to maintain educational standards while addressing evolving security needs in large-scale academic assessments.
