न्यूज़व्यूज़पोस्टExam timetable released
Kerala’s education department has officially confirmed the schedule for the 2026‑27 Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations. The SSLC papers will be conducted over a full month, from 1 March to 30 March, providing a clear window for the roughly 425,000 candidates who will sit these exams. In parallel, the Higher Secondary (HSE) and Vocational Higher Secondary (VHSE) examinations will commence a day later, on 2 March, and will also run until 30 March. This coordinated timetable is intended to streamline the administration of three major public examinations that together affect nearly 1.4 million students across the state and its overseas centres.
Scope and venues
The SSLC examinations will be held in 3,049 centres spread throughout Kerala, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and seven centres in the Gulf region. These Gulf centres cater to the sizable Keralite diaspora that lives and works in the Middle East, ensuring that children of migrant families can sit the same state‑run exams without having to travel back to the mainland. The inclusion of Lakshadweep, an island group located off the southwestern coast of India, reflects the department’s commitment to reaching remote learners who would otherwise face logistical hurdles.
Within the SSLC framework, special categories such as SSLC (Hearing Impaired), THSLC, THSLC (Hearing Impaired) and AHSLC are also scheduled for the same 1‑30 March period. The THSLC examinations will be conducted in 46 dedicated centres, the SSLC (Hearing Impaired) in 29 centres, the THSLC (Hearing Impaired) in two centres, and AHSLC in a single centre. By allocating specific venues for these groups, the education department aims to provide appropriate facilities, such as sign‑language interpreters and assistive devices, thereby upholding the principle of inclusive education.
At the higher secondary level, nearly 900,000 candidates will appear for the Plus One (Class 11) and Plus Two (Class 12) examinations. These exams will be administered in close to 2,000 centres across Kerala, Lakshadweep and the Gulf, mirroring the SSLC network but on a slightly smaller scale. In addition, about 53,000 VHSE students will write their examinations in 389 centres, reflecting the growing importance of vocational education as an alternative pathway to employment and further studies.
Timings and practical components
All examinations are slated to begin at 9:30 a.m., a standard start time that allows students to arrive after the morning commute and complete the papers before the afternoon heat becomes oppressive. Two exceptions are noted: on 8 March, all SSLC papers will start at 2 p.m., and on 12 March and 30 March, the HSE papers will also commence at 2 p.m. These later start times are typically used to accommodate logistical constraints such as venue availability or to avoid clashes with public holidays.
The practical components of the examinations are spread out over several weeks to reduce crowding and to give students adequate preparation time. SSLC Information Technology (IT) practical exams will be held from 1 February to 15 February, followed by model examinations—a rehearsal of the actual exam conditions—from 16 February to 20 February. Higher secondary practicals for the Plus Two stream will begin on 25 January, while VHSE practicals start even earlier, on 15 January. Model examinations for HSE are scheduled between 11 February and 24 February, allowing students to gauge their readiness and identify any gaps before the final papers.
Evaluation and results
The valuation of answer scripts for all papers will commence on 5 April and continue through 27 April. This window provides examiners with sufficient time to mark the large volume of answer books while maintaining quality control and consistency across subjects. The SSLC results are expected to be announced in the first week of May, giving students a timely indication of whether they have qualified for higher secondary education. Results for HSE and VHSE are projected to be released by 15 May, a deadline that aligns with the admission cycles of colleges, universities and vocational training institutes across the state.
Why this matters to locals
The extensive schedule impacts a large segment of Kerala’s student population and their families, influencing travel plans, accommodation arrangements, and local economies in exam‑hosting towns. For many families, especially those in rural areas or islands like Lakshadweep, the examination period triggers a surge in demand for temporary lodging, transport services and food outlets, providing a short‑term boost to local businesses. The inclusion of centres in the Gulf underscores the state’s commitment to serving diaspora students and remote communities, ensuring they receive the same examination opportunities as those on the mainland.
Timely release of results is crucial for students seeking admission to higher education institutions, vocational training, or employment. A delay can disrupt the entire academic calendar, affecting seat allocation in colleges, scholarship disbursement and even the timing of job recruitment drives that rely on fresh graduates. Consequently, the announced dates become a focal point for academic planning across the state, prompting schools, coaching centres and families to align their preparatory activities with the official timetable.
What readers should know
- Check the official Kerala Education Department website for exact centre locations and any last‑minute changes.
- Students should arrive at exam centres well before the scheduled start time to avoid delays.
- Parents and guardians can contact the state helpline 108 for emergency assistance during the exam period.
- Any grievances regarding exam conduct can be reported to the district education officer through the official portal.
- Students appearing for practical exams should verify the specific dates and required equipment well in advance.
- Coaching institutes often release model test papers; using these resources can help candidates familiarize themselves with exam patterns.
