HS Exam Update: HS Loose Sheets ‘Cancelled’, Board Brings Radical Changes in Answer Scripts! Know 2026 Guidelines
HS Exam Update: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has announced a groundbreaking change for the Higher Secondary (HS) examinees of 2026. The familiar request in the exam hall, “Sir, extra sheet please,” will soon be a thing of the past. Breaking away from the long-standing tradition, the Council is set to overhaul the structure of the answer scripts. This decision has been taken primarily to ensure transparency in the evaluation process and reduce administrative complications.
This new rule will come into effect from the 4th Semester of the 2026 Higher Secondary Examination. Until now, students could take multiple extra loose sheets or supplementary sheets if needed, but going forward, this facility will no longer be available. Instead, examinees will be provided with a consolidated answer booklet containing more pages right from the start.
What Changes are Coming to the Answer Scripts?
According to Council sources, from 2026 onwards, the page count of the main answer booklet provided to examinees in the 4th Semester will be significantly increased compared to previous years.
- Previous Rule: Earlier, students were given an 8-sheet (i.e., 16-page) booklet initially. If they ran out of space, there was a provision to take extra loose sheets.
- New Rule: From now on, students will be handed a 12-sheet (i.e., 24-page) thick answer booklet right at the beginning.
- Restriction: Examinees must complete all their answers within these specific 24 pages. No additional paper will be supplied from the exam center.
According to the Council’s logic, since the written examination will be of 35 or 40 marks, these 24 pages are deemed more than sufficient for writing the answers.
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Join on TelegramWhy Were Loose Sheets Discontinued?
WBCHSE President Chiranjib Bhattacharya highlighted the security of script evaluation as the reason behind this change. Often, it is observed that extra pages are not stitched properly to the main booklet in a hurry, or the thread breaks, causing the pages to detach. As a result, not all pages reach the examiner, and students are deprived of their deserving marks. This step is taken to permanently solve this ‘missing page’ issue and ensure fair evaluation.
Exam Marks and Answer Script Format
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Practical Subjects | Written Exam of 35 Marks |
| Non-Practical Subjects | Written Exam of 40 Marks |
| Allotted Answer Script | 12 Sheets or 24 Pages (Fixed) |
Rules for Old System Students
However, this rule is not applicable to everyone. In 2026, alongside the semester system, exams for the old syllabus or system will also be conducted. The Council has clarified that for those appearing under the old system, this ‘No Loose Sheet’ rule will not apply. They will be able to take extra pages as before. This new method will be implemented for the first time in the 4th Semester exams starting from February 12.
