The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) has officially announced the examination schedule for the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary final year state board examinations for the academic year 2025-26. In a significant move, the board exams have been scheduled earlier than the previous year, primarily to avoid a potential clash with the state's assembly elections anticipated in February.
Assam Board Exam 2026: Key Dates and Schedule
The Class X, or HSLC, examinations will commence on February 10, 2026. The first paper for these students will be the Modern Indian Language (MIL) or English (IL). This crucial examination series is slated to conclude on February 27, 2026.
For students in Class XII, the final Higher Secondary examinations will begin a day later, on February 11, 2026, starting with the English paper. The examination period for these students will be longer, wrapping up on March 16, 2026. The entire examination process for both classes is expected to be completed by mid-March.
Enhanced NEP Focus and Preparation Guidance
This year's board examinations will mark the third consecutive year of being conducted under the National Education Policy (NEP) framework. Authorities have confirmed that the implementation of the NEP will be enhanced for the 2026 session.
RC Jain, the chairperson of ASSEB, emphasized that the exams will have a major emphasis on knowledge and concept-based assessments. He advised students to move beyond rote learning. "Students must study by understanding the concepts and details of every chapter to answer the questions effectively," Jain stated. He also offered reassurance, noting that students are already familiar with this pattern from their unit tests and half-yearly examinations.
Echoing this sentiment, Dilip Kumar Borah, a noted educationist from Nagaon, predicted that at least 20% of the questions in both the 10th and 12th board exams would be concept-based. "Without thorough study, candidates will find the questions tough. However, an enhanced NEP-based exam will help students compete more confidently in national-level medical and engineering tests. Just memorising answers won't help anymore," Borah explained.
Logistical Challenges and Security Measures
The upcoming examinations will pose a significant logistical challenge for the ASSEB, district authorities, and the police. A record number of candidates, over 4.41 lakh, are expected to appear for the HSLC examination in 2026. For the Higher Secondary examinations, nearly 2.5 lakh students have registered, with the final date for form submission being November 25.
In light of past incidents of question paper leaks and cheating in remote areas, the board is implementing stringent security protocols. Sources within ASSEB revealed that question papers will be packed in multiple layers with enhanced security features. They will be dispatched directly to police stations and outposts, from where school authorities will collect them on the morning of the examination.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to extend his best wishes to all the students preparing for their board examinations, encouraging them to perform their best.
