HOLIDAYS CLASH WITH ASSESSMENTS
“The dates seem to have been fixed without considering the significant holidays.”
Karnataka students face examination schedule disruption as key festivals loom. Calls are being made to defer Summative Assessment-2 (SA-2) exams for classes 6 to 9. The cluster of holidays includes 'Varshatodaku' on March 20, a holiday on March 21 for Id, and a Sunday on March 22. This follows the Ugadi holiday on March 19, with further holidays after March 20. The SSLC examinations for class 10 commenced on March 18. The proposed examinations for younger students were slated for March 20. The clash means a significant period without formal academic testing, punctuated by examinations.
In a separate, though related, development, the Andhra Pradesh Education Department made adjustments to its 10th-grade examination timetable. An English exam, originally set for March 20, was moved to March 21. This was done to accommodate both Ugadi and Ramzan festivals. The state's examinations are scheduled to run from March 16 to April 1.
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TELANGANA'S 2026 CALENDAR
Meanwhile, Telangana has its Summative Assessment-II (SA2) exams for classes 1 to 9 scheduled. The dates provided for 2026 place these assessments between April 10 and April 20, with variations for different grade groups. For instance, classes 1 to 5 have exams from April 11 to April 18, while classes 6 to 8 are slated from April 10 to April 20. Classes 8 and 9 have a broader window, with some papers extending as late as April 20. Results are reportedly expected by April 23, 2026, followed by a parents' meeting.
exam schedule for telangana (2026)
| Class | Exam Dates | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | April 11-18, 2026 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
| 6-7 | April 10-20, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:45 PM |
| 8 | April 10-20, 2026 | 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM |
| 9 | April 10-20, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:45 PM & 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM |
Note: Details regarding specific subjects and potential overlaps for 9th-grade timings are complex.
The Telangana SA2 exams were also previously indicated as running from April 9 to April 17 in some reports, with another mention of April 9 to April 19 for completion. A pre-final exam period for the 10th grade was noted earlier in March.
CONTEXT OF ASSESSMENTS
Summative Assessment-II (SA2) exams represent a crucial part of the academic evaluation process for students in these states. They are designed to measure learning over a defined period. The timing of these assessments, particularly when coinciding with significant cultural or religious holidays, raises questions about educational policy and its sensitivity to societal calendars. The proposed adjustments in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh highlight a direct response to such temporal conflicts.
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