Punjab Announces Final Dates for Class 8 Board Exams 2026

Punjab has officially announced the schedule for the annual Class 8 board examinations, marking the first time the system will be held after a four-year suspension.

According to reports, the Punjab Examination Commission (PECA) has finalized the schedule, with Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirming that preparations are underway to conduct the exams province-wide under a unified pattern. PECA has also begun coordinating with district education authorities to ensure smooth administration of the exams.

Class 8 Board Exams 2026 Schedule

The Class 8 board exams are set to begin on March 5, 2026, according to the official schedule. The exams are being reinstated for the first time in four years after the Punjab government decided in July 2025 to bring back board examinations for Grade 8 students across the province.

The announcement came during a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Punjab Examination Commission for Testing and Assessment (PECTA), chaired by Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat. During the meeting, several key educational reforms were discussed.

Minister Hayat instructed education authorities to establish an effective internal examination system for Grades 5 to 7. These classes will now undergo internal assessment tests instead of traditional exams, with a comprehensive assessment framework to be developed within a month.

“The assessment tests will help evaluate both teacher and student performance,” said the minister, emphasizing the importance of a transparent and credible system for conducting internal assessments in lower grades.