Imphal, March 19: A total of 26,440 students are appearing in the class XII examination conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur which is set to begin tomorrow. COHSEM Chairman Lamabam Mahendra said that the council has taken up all measures to conduct the exam in a free and fair way and the result of the examination will be declared on merit basis so that there will be more competition among the students. “We will declare the result of this examination on merit basis with rank holder’s name”, said Mahendra to a local TV channel. Last year, the result of the examination was declared on grading system. The Chairman further said that of the 26,440 students appearing in Arts, Science and Commerce streams, 13,603 are male candidates while the remaining 12,837 students are female candidates. The students will appear the examination in 92 centers and to conduct the examination in a free and fair way the council had set up 66 flying squads. Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren extended his wish to the students appearing in the examination for their grand success.