Leh: The Class 10th and Class 12th board examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education commenced smoothly across Ladakh on Tuesday, with authorities reporting hassle-free conduct of the first day of examinations despite extreme weather and challenging terrain.
According to officials, approximately 1,900 students from the Union Territory are expected to appear in Class 10 examinations this year, while around 1,700 students will take the Class 12 board exams over the coming weeks. The first day saw Class 10 students appearing for Mathematics and Class 12 students taking the Biotechnology examination.
Officials said the examinations were conducted without any logistical issues, marking a successful start to the academic session’s board examination schedule. A total of 41 examination centres have been set up across the Union Territory, including 16 centres in Leh district and 25 in Kargil district.
Authorities highlighted the unique geographical challenges of conducting examinations in remote and high-altitude regions such as Zanskar and Drass, where some centres are located at altitudes of nearly 14,000 feet. Officials noted that ensuring timely transportation of question papers and answer sheets in such conditions requires extensive planning and coordinated efforts.
On the day of the first examination, temperatures in some centres dropped to nearly minus 14 to minus 15 degrees Celsius. Despite the severe cold, teams successfully delivered question papers to examination centres on time and ensured answer sheets were transported promptly to postal channels after the exams.
Officials said the CBSE’s standard operating procedures for conducting examinations are strictly followed, which poses additional logistical challenges in regions that experience heavy snowfall during February and March. However, they expressed confidence that examinations this year would be conducted smoothly, similar to the previous two years.
The board examinations will continue until March 31, following the uniform national schedule of 10 AM to 1 PM, which applies across all states and Union Territories. Officials said strict monitoring will continue at all centres to maintain exam integrity, hygiene and security standards.
Centre superintendents, appointed by CBSE and comprising senior teachers and lecturers, are overseeing examination operations at all designated centres.
Authorities expressed optimism that with coordinated efforts and preparedness, all remaining examinations would be conducted successfully across Ladakh without disruption.
