The Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) declared dates for the HSC and SSC 2015 exams today. This trend was started two years ago at the insistence of state education minister, Rajendra Darda.

"The purpose is to kill the suspense and fear surrounding exam dates, which students usually worry about through out the year. By making the schedule available at the start of the academic year, we are giving students enough time to work according to the time-table," said a senior board official.