Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced a major change to the examination timetable for matric and intermediate students, revising the previously issued schedule for the 2026 academic year. The minister confirmed that board examinations will now be held after Ramadan and Eid, giving students a more comfortable and focused study environment.

The new schedule places matric exams around March 24, with intermediate exams expected to begin shortly after. Education officials say this adjustment aims to prevent students from preparing and appearing in exams during fasting days, which many families had expressed concerns about.

This announcement comes more than a week after the Punjab Education Department had issued the earlier timetable. Under the old schedule, matric exams were set for March 3, 2026, and intermediate exams were scheduled for May 5, 2026. The updated decision pushes both sets of exams beyond the holy month, aligning assessments with a period when students can focus fully on their studies.

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Parents and teachers have welcomed the change, saying it will reduce stress, improve performance, and allow better preparation time. Education authorities believe the new timeline will also help schools adjust their internal schedules smoothly.

The minister emphasized that the government wants to ensure fairness for all students and create a supportive academic environment. Further details and formal notifications will be issued to all educational boards in the coming days.