Telangana Education Board Releases Practice OMR Sheets for SSC 2026 Exams
The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) in Telangana has officially released sample copies of the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet and answer booklet for the upcoming Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Public Examinations scheduled for 2026. This proactive initiative is designed to familiarize students with the examination format well before they enter the halls for one of the state's largest academic assessments.
OMR-Linked Answer Format to Continue in 2026
The examination authority has confirmed that the OMR sheet attached to the answer booklet, which was introduced during the previous exam cycle, will remain in place for the March–April 2026 SSC examinations. Under this system, students will receive an answer booklet that includes an attached OMR sheet where they must meticulously fill in critical details such as their hall ticket number and other identification information.
This mechanism has been specifically designed to standardize candidate data and streamline the evaluation process, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. To prevent errors during the examination, officials have uploaded sample OMR sheets and model answer booklet formats on the board's official platforms. Students are strongly advised to download these samples and practice filling them out thoroughly before the examinations commence.
Education authorities have emphasized that accuracy while entering details on the OMR sheet is absolutely critical, as mistakes in these sections can significantly complicate the evaluation process and potentially affect results.
Over 5.28 Lakh Students to Appear Across 2,676 Centers
The SSC Public Examinations 2026 will be conducted from March 14 to April 16, covering hundreds of examination centers across Telangana. More than 5,28,239 students are set to appear for the Class 10 board examinations this year at 2,676 examination centers statewide.
The exam cycle will open on March 14 with the first language paper, including First Language Part I or Part II for students enrolled in composite courses. The second language examination will follow on March 18, while the third language (English) paper is scheduled for March 23.
For most subjects, examinations will be held between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm. The board has noted, however, that the schedule can be slightly different for the first language composite course papers and science examinations.
Hall Tickets Available in Schools and Via WhatsApp
Already, the Telangana education board has made the TS SSC 2026 hall tickets available, which have been sent to schools across the state via speed post. Students must collect their admit cards from their respective schools before the examinations begin.
To improve accessibility and convenience, the board has also enabled digital retrieval of hall tickets through WhatsApp. Students can access their admit cards by sending a message reading "Hi" followed by "SSC Hall Ticket March-2026" to the number 8096958096.
Officials state that this system is intended to ensure smoother access to admit cards and prevent last-minute complications for candidates, thereby reducing stress and logistical issues.
Exam Calendar Reflects Consistent March Schedule
Telangana has largely maintained a March examination window for the SSC board exams over the past several years. In 2025, the examinations were conducted from March 21 to April 4. The 2024 exam cycle began on March 18 and extended into April, while the 2023 examinations were held from April 3 to April 13.
The release of practice OMR formats ahead of the exams is part of the board's broader strategy to minimize procedural errors and ensure a smoother examination process for the lakhs of students appearing for these crucial Class 10 board assessments. This preparatory step aims to enhance student confidence and operational efficiency during the high-stakes testing period.
