Punjab Announces Exam Schedule for Classes 1 to 7 — Annual Exams Begin March 10, 2026
Lahore, November 2025 — The Punjab Education Department has officially released the annual examination schedule for classes 1 to 7 under the newly approved academic plan for 2026. According to the official notification, exams will be held from March 10 to March 22, and results will be announced on March 31, 2026.
The decision is part of the department’s broader strategy to restructure the academic calendar, improve learning outcomes, and align school operations with the updated curriculum.
Revised Academic Calendar Approved for 2026
As part of this announcement, the Punjab School Education Department has also:
- Finalized the 2026 school calendar
- Approved a revised student admission policy
- Introduced updates to the official syllabus
- Scheduled printing of new textbooks, including 29 replacements from Grade 6 to Matric
The new academic year for schools across Punjab will officially begin on April 1, 2026, and free textbook distribution in public schools will start from April 5, 2026.
Textbook Overhaul: 29 Books to Be Replaced
In a significant curriculum reform effort, the government is set to replace 29 outdated textbooks for grades six to ten. The new books are expected to be printed by December 2025 and distributed ahead of the next academic session. The revisions aim to improve relevance, comprehension, and inclusivity in school content.
WhatsApp ChannelLearning Crisis in Punjab Continues to Deepen
Despite these administrative reforms, Punjab continues to face a serious education crisis. The department reported that over 28 million children remained out of school during the 2025 session, with projections suggesting the figure may exceed 30 million in 2026.
Officials identified a worrying trend of declining school enrollment, especially among young girls, due to poverty, early child labor, and lack of access in remote areas.
Many underage children in Punjab are now leaving schools to work in restaurants, auto workshops, and other informal labor sectors, causing long-term damage to human capital development.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
| Exams for Classes 1 to 7 | March 10–22, 2026 |
| Result Announcement | March 31, 2026 |
| New Academic Year Begins | April 1, 2026 |
| Free Textbook Distribution | From April 5, 2026 |
| New Textbooks to be Printed | By December 2025 |
Final Words
The Punjab exam schedule for classes 1 to 7 is a major step in the province’s educational roadmap for 2026. While administrative improvements like revised textbooks and calendars are welcome, education experts warn that access and equity remain major concerns. Unless urgent action is taken to tackle the dropout rate and child labor, the learning gap in Punjab is likely to widen further.
