The Punjab Education Department has finalized the annual exam schedule for Classes 1 to 7 under its new academic plan for 2026.
According to the department, exams will be held from March 10 to March 22, and results will be issued on March 31.
Officials have also approved a revised admission policy, a new school calendar, and updates to the syllabus for next year. Updated textbooks — including 29 new books for Classes 6 to Matric — will go to print in December.
The new academic year will begin on April 1, 2026, and free textbooks will be distributed in government schools starting April 5.
Officials warned that Punjab is still dealing with a serious education crisis. More than 28 million children were out of school in 2025, and the number is expected to cross 30 million next year. Declining enrollment among girls remains a major concern, with many underage children leaving school for work in restaurants, workshops, and informal jobs.
