With 14 of the 17 schools washed away on the island, over 300 class X and XII students had been taken to Port Blair, the administrative capital, to sit for the exam after the tsunami. Many of their parents did not know the children were returning home.
"We don't know if the bus is still operating, if not, we'll put our bags on our backs and walk home," said Nicholas Valentine, another student, in broken English.
Six months after the tsunami, life is moving on in this small island. But the destruction was so immense it will at least be another two years before Car Nicobar is on its feet again.
Text and photograph: Archana Masih; Design: Dominic Xavier