Imphal : A total of 36,725 students, including 392 internally displaced persons (IDPs), will appear for the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur from February 23 to March 23, 2026.

The examinations will be held across 161 centres spread over the hill and valley districts of the state, with authorities putting in place extensive security and monitoring measures to ensure smooth conduct.

Of the total candidates, 18,375 are boys and 18,350 are girls, reflecting a near-equal gender distribution. BOSEM Secretary S. Jitelal Sharma said 8,191 students are from government schools, 1,498 from government-aided institutions, and 27,036 from private schools.

Among the 392 displaced candidates appearing for the exams, 231 are from valley districts while 161 are from the hill districts.  Out of the 36,725 candidates, 19,046 students will write the examinations at 61 centres located in the hill districts. The remaining 17,679 candidates will appear at 100 centres across the valley districts.

Officials said the distribution of centres was planned to ensure accessibility and security, particularly for displaced students affected by the prolonged ethnic unrest in the state.

To maintain law and order, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has been promulgated in and around examination centres. The provision restricts unauthorised gatherings and aims to prevent any untoward incidents during the examination period.

The Board has appointed 10 nodal officers to oversee the conduct of the examinations. Additionally, two inspection teams comprising 36 members each have been constituted to supervise centres in the hill and valley districts. Twelve special monitoring teams have also been formed to ensure strict adherence to guidelines.

Sharma warned that any candidate or individual found using unfair means would face stringent action under the The Manipur Prevention of Malpractices in High School Leaving Certificate and Higher Secondary Examinations Act, 2024. The Act provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for violations.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh extended his best wishes to students appearing for the Class X board examinations.

In a message, the Chief Minister described the board exams as an important milestone in a student’s academic journey but urged candidates to remain calm and confident. He encouraged them to trust their preparation and focus on sincere effort rather than results.

“Examinations do not define an individual’s worth or future potential,” he said, advising students to approach the tests with composure and determination.

With security arrangements tightened and monitoring mechanisms in place, authorities expressed confidence that the month-long examination process would proceed smoothly across the state.