The Punjab government has decided to hold matriculation and intermediate board exams after the month of Ramadan, giving students additional time to prepare.

Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced the decision in Lahore on Wednesday, calling it a step taken purely for the convenience of students across the province.

Rana Sikandar said the government considered the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of students who would otherwise have to prepare for exams during Ramadan. He noted that the shift in schedule aims to reduce academic stress and allow students to focus on both studies and religious obligations.

Rana Sikandar said the exam dates have been postponed particularly to accommodate children affected by floods. Speaking to Samaa TV, the minister confirmed that both matric and intermediate exams in Punjab will take place after Ramadan. He explained that students needed more time to prepare under the smart curriculum, and many children in flood-hit areas were unable to study properly.

He added that it becomes difficult for students to prepare for exams during the period leading up to Eid. Holding exams after Eid-ul-Fitr, he said, will allow students to perform at their best. “We want students to have more time and better opportunities to prepare for their exams,” the minister said.

Last month, the education department had announced that matric exams would commence on March 3, 2026, while the inter board exams will start on May 5.

New exam dates to be announced soon

According to the announcement, the new dates for the matric and intermediate board exams will be finalized and shared soon.
Education boards across Punjab have been instructed to restructure their schedules accordingly.