Ranchi: The Jharkhand government imposed prohibitory orders around test centres as secondary and higher secondary examinations began across the state on Monday. The restrictions are aimed at ensuring peaceful conduct of the exams, an official said.

"The secondary and higher secondary examinations began at 10 a.m. on Monday. A total 6.9 lakh students are appearing in the secondary and higher secondary examinations," an official of the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) told the sources.

"Prohibitory orders have been imposed within a 100 meter periphery of the examination centres," he said.

Security forces have been deployed at examination centres. The JAC has also set up monitoring cells to keep close tabs on the examinations, which are taking place at 345 centres in the state.

The secondary and higher secondary examinations will conclude on March 11 and 17, respectively. IANS