The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has been compelled to issue a revised timetable for the upcoming Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. This last-minute change was necessitated by an unexpected clash between the originally announced exam dates and the state government's official public holiday list for the year 2026-27.
Why the Sudden Rescheduling Was Needed
The root of the confusion lies in the declaration of March 4, 2026, as a public holiday for Dhuleti, the day following the festival of Holi. The board had initially published its examination schedule on November 8, which earmarked March 1, 2, and 3 as holidays for students. Unaware of the impending government notification, the GSHSEB had scheduled a total of ten crucial papers across both Class 10 and Class 12 streams for March 4.
Once the state's holiday list was officially notified, the direct conflict became apparent, creating significant uncertainty for schools, students, and parents across Gujarat. To resolve this, the board swiftly undertook a major reshuffling of the exam calendar.
Detailed Breakdown of the New Exam Dates
Under the revised programme, all examinations originally set for March 4 have been moved to new dates between March 16 and March 18. The changes affect multiple streams and key subjects.
Changes for Class 10 (SSC) Students
For students appearing for the Class 10 board exams, the Social Science paper, which was to be held on March 4, has now been postponed. It will be conducted on March 18 instead.
Major Reshuffling for Class 12 (HSC) Streams
The alterations are more extensive for Class 12 students, impacting Science, General, and Vocational streams.
- Science Stream: The important Biology examination has been shifted to March 16.
- General Stream: Students will now take their Elements of Accounts paper on March 17 and the History exam on March 18.
- Vocational Stream: This stream sees the most changes, with multiple papers moved to March 18. These include:
Biology and Agricultural Chemistry
Economics & Business Management
Sociology
Psychology
Economics
Physics & Mathematics - Sanskrit Prathama: The Social Science exam is now on March 16.
- Sanskrit Madhyama: The Sociology paper has also been rescheduled to March 16.
Implications and Next Steps for Students
This revision, while disruptive, ensures that no student is forced to choose between celebrating a major festival and appearing for a board examination. The GSHSEB's proactive move aims to eliminate the confusion that had begun to spread in schools. Students are strongly advised to immediately update their study plans and revision timetables according to the new dates. They should cross-verify the final timetable from official board sources to avoid any last-minute errors.
The episode highlights the challenges of coordinating large-scale academic schedules with state administrative calendars. For now, the revised schedule provides clarity and allows Gujarat's board exam candidates to prepare for their crucial tests without the shadow of a scheduling conflict.
