The Punjab School Education Department has announced that the matriculation and intermediate board exams for 2026 in the province will now be held after Eid ul‑Fitr.
Under the previous schedule, matric exams were slated to begin on March 3, 2026 and intermediate exams were to start in May. The revised schedule — confirmed by Rana Sikandar Hayat — aims to provide students with relief from exam-stress during the fasting month of Ramadan and the Eid holidays.
Officials say the shift reflects concerns that fasting and religious obligations during Ramadan make it difficult for students to prepare and perform optimally in high-stakes exams.
The decision has been welcomed by many students, parents, and educators, who expect that it will allow for better revision time and reduce stress associated with overlapping exams and religious observances.