West Bengal HS Semester 3 Exam 2026 Guidelines, Schedule, Rules and Instructions

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education has released detailed guidelines for the Semester III Higher Secondary Examination 2026, marking the first semester-based exam under the new academic system for Classes XI and XII.

Scheduled from 8th to 22nd September 2025, the exams will cover a wide range of academic and vocational subjects. Key instructions cover admit card requirements, prohibited items, reporting times, OMR sheet handling, and specific arrangements for CWSN and sick candidates.

AUBSP highlights that the Council has also provided detailed protocols for examination centres, personnel responsibilities, unfair means policies, and honorarium structures to ensure the smooth and transparent conduct of this significant examination.

Comprehensive Guidelines for West Bengal Higher Secondary Semester III Examination, 2026

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has officially released detailed guidelines for conducting the Semester III Higher Secondary Examination, 2026. This is a landmark initiative as it marks the Council’s first-ever semester examination, following the introduction of the Semester System for Classes XI and XII during the academic years 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively.

In this article we will understand most important thinks to help students, teachers, guardians, and institutions understand and comply with the latest guidelines.

Detailed Examination Routine (September 2025)

Note by AUBSP: The Council reserves the right to modify this schedule with prior notice.

General Instructions for Examinees

Admit Cards: Admit cards will be issued online, and institutions can download and print them. Examinees must bring a valid, countersigned admit card, registration certificate, and blue/black ink ballpoint pens. Pencils, erasers, transparent instrument boxes, water bottles, and clipboards are also allowed.

Prohibited Items: Examinees are strictly prohibited from bringing any printed or written materials, paper kits, plastic pouches, calculators, pen drives, writing pads, log tables, electronic pens/scanners, mobile phones, Bluetooth earphones, microphones, pagers, smartwatches, cameras, goggles, meta glasses, bags/handbags, health bands, or any other electronic devices/gadgets into the examination venue.

Reporting Time: Examinees must report to the venue at least one hour before the examination starts (by 9:00 AM). Parents/guardians can accompany them up to the main entrance but must leave 15 minutes before the exam begins.

OMR Sheet Instructions: Only black or blue ink ballpoint pens are permitted on the OMR sheet. Gel pens or fountain pens are not allowed. The OMR sheet must be handled with extreme care to avoid folding, wetting, tearing, or dirtying, as this will lead to cancellation. Space for rough work will be provided in the question paper booklet.

Infectious Diseases: Examinees suffering from infectious diseases may be accommodated in a separate room.

CWSN Examinees: Children with Special Needs (CWSN) may be allowed a writer/amanuensis and extra time upon online application by their institution’s Head.

Admit Card Issues: If an examinee cannot produce their admit card on the first day, they may be allowed to sit for the exam after providing a written undertaking to produce it the next day; otherwise, their examination will be cancelled.

Leaving the Hall: Examinees are not allowed to leave the examination hall before the end of the examination or go to the washroom/toilet during exam hours, except in extreme cases. They must submit their OMR sheets to the invigilator and can take their question papers with them.

Examination Venue Requirements

• Proper boundary walls, clean toilets, drinking water, electricity.
• Male candidates preferably not allocated to girls’ schools.
• Seating in “S” pattern; maximum 2 examinees per bench.
• Strict adherence to natural calamity guidelines in September.

Examination Personnel Reporting Schedule

Question Paper & OMR Sheet Protocol

• Handled securely from custodian to Centre-in-Charge.
• Opened in exam hall only in students’ presence.
• OMR sheets categorized post-exam as Used, RA, Cancelled, Unused.
• Strict packing and sealing procedures, no use of railways for dispatch.

Attendance & Records

• Attendance marked daily on ASR; no pre-marking.
• DWAAR portal updated with AB (absent) and RA (reported against) records.
• ASR hardcopies to be submitted by 24th September 2025.

Guidelines for CWSN and Sick Examinees

• Separate room allocation for health safety.
• Writer/amanuensis provision with prior approval for CWSN.
• Institutions must upload necessary certificates online.

Examination Fees, Grants & Honorarium

Examination Fee Structure

Honorarium for Examination Personnel

Instructions on Unfair Means

Action Taken: If an examinee is caught using unfair means, including prohibited electronic gadgets or indulging in misbehavior/physical assault, prompt action will be taken. Their name will be marked “RA” (Reported Against) in DWAAR and ASR, and the reason will be selected from a dropdown menu in the portal.

Consequences: Possession of electronic gadgets or physical assault will lead to cancellation of all examinations and enrollment for Semester III. The candidate will not be allowed to appear in remaining exams, and their admit card will be confiscated and sent to the Council.

Reporting: Such incidents must be immediately communicated to the Deputy Secretary (Examination) of the Council via email (dsexamination@wbchse.org) by the Venue Supervisor, Centre Secretary, and Centre-in-Charge.

Enquiry Committee: Students involved in such activities will be called before the “Malpractice and Misconduct Enquiry Committee (MMEC),” and their institutions may face penalties.

Important Contacts for Emergencies

In case of emergency, examination personnel can contact the Council using the following numbers:

• 9836402118
• 9674006269
• 7872915227
• 9134188597 / 8670858898
• 9434714312
• 8900328300 / 0322-2276318
• 9851905529
• 9674076902

Authority on Interpretation

In case of any doubts or unforeseen issues, the decision of the President of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education shall be final.

FAQs on Semester III Higher Secondary Exams 2025

What is the Semester III Higher Secondary Examination, 2026? It is the first-ever semester examination organized by the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education for Class XII students, following the implementation of the “Semester System” from the academic year 2025-2026.

When will the Semester III Higher Secondary Examination, 2026 be held? The examination is scheduled to be held in September 2025. The detailed routine is provided in the guidelines.

What documents are required to enter the examination hall? Examinees must bring a valid, countersigned admit card, registration certificate, and blue/black ink ballpoint pens.

What items are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall? Prohibited items include printed or written materials, paper kits, plastic pouches, calculators, pen drives, writing pads, log tables, electronic pens/scanners, mobile phones, Bluetooth earphones, microphones, pagers, smartwatches, cameras, goggles, meta glasses, bags/handbags, health bands, or any other electronic devices/gadgets.

What is the reporting time for examinees? Examinees must report to the venue at least one hour before the examination starts (by 9:00 AM).

How should OMR sheets be filled? Only black or blue ink ballpoint pens are permitted on the OMR sheet. Gel pens or fountain pens are not allowed. OMR sheets must be handled with extreme care to avoid damage.

What should an examinee do if they are suffering from an infectious disease? Examinees suffering from infectious diseases may be accommodated in a separate room.

Are Children with Special Needs (CWSN) allowed extra time or a writer? Yes, Children with Special Needs (CWSN) may be allowed a writer/amanuensis and extra time upon online application by their institution’s Head.

What if an examinee forgets their admit card on the first day? They may be allowed to sit for the exam after providing a written undertaking to produce it the next day; otherwise, their examination will be cancelled.

Are examinees allowed to leave the examination hall before the end of the exam? No, examinees are not allowed to leave the examination hall before the end of the examination or go to the washroom/toilet during exam hours, except in extreme cases.

What are the reporting times for different examination personnel? Centre-in-Charge and Centre Secretary should report by 7:00 AM, Venue Supervisor and Council Nominee by 7:45 AM, and Invigilators by 8:30 AM.

What are the basic facilities required at an examination venue? Examination venues should have surrounding walls, adequate drinking water, electricity, and separate toilet facilities for male and female examinees and staff.

How should examinees be allocated to different venues? Students from one institution will appear in another. Mutual allocation between two institutes should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Male examinees should preferably not be allocated to girls’ schools.

What is the seating arrangement for examinees? Seating should be in an “S” pattern, with no more than two examinees per bench.

How are question papers and OMR sheets received and opened? Question papers and OMR sheets are collected by Centre-in-Charges from custodians. Sealed poly pouches containing question papers must be opened by invigilators in the examination hall at 9:55 AM in the presence of examinees.

Can an OMR sheet be replaced if an examinee makes a mistake? OMR sheets may be replaced in case of examinee error, but this is discouraged due to logistical limitations. Cancelled OMRs must be marked and signed by invigilators.

What are the invigilator’s responsibilities regarding OMR sheets? Invigilators must fill boxes 6 and 7 of the OMR sheet after verifying examinee-filled fields 1 to 5. After the exam, they must count OMR sheets and tally them with the number of examinees present and those who marked attendance in ASR before allowing examinees to leave.

How should attendance be recorded? Attendance must be taken carefully each day in the Attendance cum Signature Roll (ASR), not in advance. Absent examinees should be marked “AB” in red ink.

What constitutes unfair means during the examination? Using prohibited electronic gadgets, bringing any unauthorized materials, or indulging in misbehavior/physical assault are considered unfair means.

What are the consequences of using unfair means or possessing electronic gadgets? Such actions will lead to cancellation of all examinations and enrollment for Semester III. The candidate will not be allowed to appear in remaining exams, and their admit card will be confiscated.

How should incidents of unfair means be reported? Incidents must be immediately communicated to the Deputy Secretary (Examination) of the Council via email (dsexamination@wbchse.org) by the Venue Supervisor, Centre Secretary, and Centre-in-Charge.

What is the examination fee for Semester III? The examination fee for Semester III is Rs. 215/- per examinee.

How is the Centre Grant utilized? Institutions collect Rs. 215/- per examinee but deposit Rs. 190/- to the Council. The remaining Rs. 25/- per examinee, along with an additional Rs. 25/- collected as “Centre Fee,” forms the “Centre Grant” (total Rs. 50/- per examinee) given to the Centre Secretary to cover examination expenses.

Who interprets any queries or unforeseen issues related to the examination? Any queries should be referred to the Council, and the decision of the President of the Council will be considered final.

Where can examination personnel contact the Council in case of an emergency? Emergency contact numbers include: 9836402118, 9674006269, 7872915227, 9134188597/8670858898, 9434714312, 8900328300/0322-2276318, 9851905529, 9674076902.

The West Bengal Council’s initiative to implement Semester-based examinations marks a transformative phase in the state’s higher secondary education. Successful execution of these guidelines requires sincere cooperation from students, guardians, institutions, and examination personnel.

Remember, these results shape futures — let’s make Semester III 2026 a model of discipline, fairness, and excellence.