For the first time in the history of the State Board, two Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam papers were held on a Sunday – one in the morning and another in the evening. The papers went smoothly, say sources. Almost 57,043 students appeared on time for the Biology paper held between 11 am and 2 pm, and 2,11,507 students appeared for the Economics paper without any trouble between 3 pm and 6 pm, as there was no rail block.

State Board chairman (Mumbai division) Laxmikant Pandey claimed everything went smoothly. Though sources said 48 people did call on the Board’s helpline number complaining that the Biology paper was difficult, there were no complaints about late arrivals.