Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Class 10 board examinations of the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) commenced on Thursday with the Hindi paper. Over 9.53 lakh students appeared for the exams across the state, with 3,887 examination centres set up for them.

In Indore, 42,610 regular students and 5,318 private students registered for the exams, which were held at 140 centres. The Indore district included sub-divisions such as Rau, Khudel, Mhow, Sanwer, Depalpur, Hatod, Malharganj, Juni Indore, Kanadiya, and Bicholi Hapsi. The questions in the Hindi exam were a mix of different types.

The passage and poetry-based questions were relatively simple for most students. However, some students found the grammar questions involving Sandhi, Samas, and Alankar a bit difficult. It was also important for students to follow the exact word limit and structure in essay and letter writing, which posed a challenge for some. After the exam, students shared mixed reactions. “I found the passage and poetry questions quite simple. However, the grammar questions, especially Sandhi and Samas, were a bit tricky,” said Amit Yadav, a regular student from Juni Indore. Priya Patel, another student, said, “The exam was okay, but I struggled a bit with the essay writing. It’s important to stay within the word limit, and I felt a little rushed.”

“The paper was manageable, and I finished on time. I just hope I followed the format correctly for the essay,” said Ravi Sharma, a private candidate from Khajrana area. The exam started at 9 AM and ended at 12 PM. Students were given a 32-page answer sheet, with no extra supplementary copies allowed. They were advised to write answers concisely.

To prevent cheating, officials closely monitored the exams. If an answer sheet was found to be tampered with, it would be considered malpractice, and appropriate action would be taken.

The education department is ensuring a fair and transparent examination process. Students have been urged to follow the rules and maintain discipline throughout the exams. A unique initiative, the Honesty Box, has been introduced at exam centres.

Students can voluntarily drop any unauthorised study materials before entering the examination hall. If caught with such materials inside, students will face strict action under the Exam Act. The exams will continue until 21st March 2025, with the Hindi paper being the first in a series of subject exams.