Over 3.1 lakh students were absent on the first day of the Uttar Pradesh Board Exams 2026 , the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) reported. Exams for Class 10 and 12 commenced on February 18, 2026, with over 5.2 million registered candidates.
Exam Day 1 Statistics
The first day saw Hindi and Elementary Hindi exams for Class 10 and Hindi and General Hindi for Class 12. A total of 5,253,746 students registered. Of these, 4,940,038 students appeared for the exams, leaving 313,708 absent.
| Shift | Total Registered | Present | Absent |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 2,754,376 | 2,583,055 | 171,321 |
| Second | 2,499,370 | 2,356,983 | 142,387 |
| Total | 5,253,746 | 4,940,038 | 313,708 |
Impersonation Cases Reported
Authorities apprehended eight individuals for using unfair means or impersonation on the first day. Three cases of using unfair means were reported in the Class 10 exams. Two candidates were caught for unfair practices in Hapur, and one in Bareilly. Additionally, impersonation cases occurred in Agra, Fatehpur, Kannauj, Kaushambi, and Etawah. First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against all individuals involved.
Security Measures in Place
The UP Board has established over 8,000 exam centers across the state. Eighteen districts are designated as sensitive, with 222 centers classified as highly sensitive and 683 as sensitive. Security protocols include sealed question paper sets in double-locked cabinets and multi-colored answer sheets with security features. Flying squads are operating at district and divisional levels. All exam centers must have CCTV, voice recorders, and DVRs. Online monitoring from the state-level control room is in effect.
The government stated its commitment to conducting free, transparent, and fair examinations. Minister Gulab Devi urged students to take exams with confidence and without stress.