More than 13 lakh students sit for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations this morning with the government taking various measures to prevent question leak.

A total of 13,51,505 examinees from 9,081 educational institutions under 10 education boards will appear in the examinations, according to the education ministry.

A total of 11,38,747 candidates are set to sit for the examinations from eight general education boards, 88,451 under the Madrasa Education Board and 1,24,264 from the Technical Education Board.

Candidates with physical disabilities will receive an additional 20 minutes in the exams while examinees with special needs, including those with autism, will get extra 30 minutes.

The written examinations will continue until May 11 while the practical ones from May 12 to May 21.