SSC exams begin without hitch

HYDERABAD: SSC public examinations commenced on a smooth note at 5,849 centres across the state amidst tight security.Many students found the First Language (Telugu Paper- I) question paper easy enough to score good marks.There were complaints from students about lack of facilities at centres even in cities like Hyderabad.Out of the 12.87 lakh candidates, including 2.26 lakh private students, about 97 per cent appeared for the examination.The examination, which began at 9.30 am, ended by noon.The examinations will conclude on April 11.The state-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) operated special buses to examination centres at regular intervals to enable students reach the centres.Anxious students, along with their parents, rushed to reach their examination centres early in the morning.However, a few late-comers were forced to return home in disappointment after the authorities denied them permission to enter the examination hall.The day before, officials had cautioned students to reach the examination centre 45 minutes in advance to avoid last-minute tension.While 78 candidates were caught for malpractices, 31 invigilators were relieved of duty for slackness and negligence.Mahbubnagar district registered a maximum number of 22 malpractice cases on the first day of the examination.Two were held for impersonation in East Godavari and Khammam districts