Maharashtra HSC Exams 2026 Begin, Pune Schools Ease Student Stress with Special Welcome
Pune, 10th February 2026: The Maharashtra State Board’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Class 12 examinations began across the state, with students in Pune receiving a warm and encouraging welcome at their exam centres.
At Bhave High School in Pune, teachers and staff performed a traditional aarti, distributed sugar, and showered flower petals on students as they arrived for their first paper, aiming to ease exam stress and boost confidence.
The HSC written examinations are being conducted by the Maharashtra State Board through its nine divisional boards—Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Amravati, Nashik, Latur and Konkan. The exams will continue until Wednesday, March 18.
This year, a total of 15,32,487 students have registered for the Class 12 examinations. This includes 8,20,229 boys, 7,12,240 girls and 18 transgender candidates. Students from 10,664 junior colleges across the state are appearing for the exams, which are being held at 3,387 main examination centres.
At Bhave High School, students began arriving well before the scheduled reporting time. As per board instructions, candidates were allowed into the exam hall only after proper verification and security checks. Teachers also briefed students about the rules and ensured strict adherence to the board’s guidelines.
Speaking to reporters, several students said they felt prepared but admitted to feeling nervous because it was the first paper.
“Our preparation is complete, but there is always some pressure. Since it’s the first exam, there is fear in the mind. But after the aarti and encouragement from our teachers, we are feeling more confident now,” a student said.
Schools and junior colleges have instructed all candidates to reach their centres at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time. For the morning session, students must be seated in the examination hall by 10.30 am, and for the afternoon session by 2.30 pm.
At Bhave High School, students reached the centre around 10 am, where they were welcomed with traditional rituals and good wishes before entering the exam hall.
The board has appealed to students to remain calm, follow instructions carefully, and avoid carrying prohibited items into the examination rooms.
