Bhubaneswar, Nov 13: The Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has reportedly decided to provide only a limited number of ‘Pariksha Darpan’ question-and-answer booklets to schools for students appearing in the 2027 Matric examination, triggering concerns among teachers and parents.

The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, is preparing the study material, while OSEPA is responsible for its distribution. However, according to reports, schools with 40 to 50 Class X students may receive only one or two copies. Schools with more than 100 Matric aspirants are likely to get just three to four copies.

The proposed distribution has drawn criticism from teachers, who have questioned how hundreds of students in a school can prepare for their examinations with just one or two copies of the booklet. Parents have also expressed dissatisfaction, describing the limited supply as inadequate to meet students’ needs.

Last year, the distribution of Pariksha Darpan across high schools in all 30 districts reportedly faced several irregularities. However, concerns have emerged that the authorities have not addressed those shortcomings while planning this year's distribution.

The issue assumes significance as the form-fill-up process for the 2027 annual Matric examination for regular and ex-regular students began on November 2. Schools can complete the online application process until November 21. The examination is scheduled to be held in the last week of February 2027.

With the examination approaching, several students are facing difficulties in their preparation. Natural calamities, including cyclones, floods and prolonged rainfall, have affected some districts this year, adding to the challenges faced by students.

Commercially available test papers cost around Rs 1,000, making them unaffordable for many students from economically weaker families and tribal-dominated areas. Teachers believe that providing Pariksha Darpan to all students would help ensure equal access to study materials and support their preparation.

More than 5.5 lakh students from over 9,000 high schools across Odisha are expected to appear for the 2027 Matric examination. Teachers have urged the authorities to ensure that every student gets access to the question-and-answer booklet rather than limiting its distribution to a handful of copies per school.

Meanwhile, the Board authorities have not issued any official statement on the matter. Attempts to contact OSEPA officials for their response were also unsuccessful.