Kerala postpones SSLC, Plus 2 exams in Gulf region amid West Asia crisis
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Education Minister V. Shivankutty has announced the postponement of SSLC and Higher Secondary exams in Gulf countries due to the ongoing Israel-US joint attacks on Iran and the resulting crisis in the region.
The exams affected include the SSLC exam scheduled for March 5 and the Higher Secondary exams scheduled for March 5, 6, and 7. Revised dates will be announced later.
“The situation in the Gulf resembles a war-like scenario, and we understand that some students may be unable to reach exam centres either there or in Kerala, causing anxiety. The General Education Department stands with these students,” the minister said.
Students unable to appear for the exams are advised to submit applications as soon as possible through their head teachers or principals to the Director of General Education. The department will review applications on merit and take decisions in favour of the students wherever possible.
Across Kerala, 417,497 students are registered to appear for the SSLC exams at 3,031 centres, while 633 students are registered at seven centres in the Gulf and 386 students at nine centres in Lakshadweep.
Distribution of required answer scripts for the SSLC, Vocational Higher Secondary, and Higher Secondary exams has been completed across 41 district education offices. Question papers for the SSLC exams have been delivered to all 41 offices, sorted, and secured in bank or treasury safes. Appointment of Chief Superintendents and Deputy Chief Superintendents for the SSLC exams has also been completed.
Around 26,000 teachers are assigned as invigilators for SSLC exams in the state. For evaluation of answer scripts, applications have already been received to appoint 950 Additional Chief Examiners and 9,000 Examiners across 72 camps. Appointment orders for these teachers will be issued in the second week of March. The evaluation camps will commence on April 7 and conclude on April 28.
SSLC exam results will be announced by the third week of May 2026. Students can submit online applications for Plus One admission from the day after the results are declared. All students who qualify in the SSLC exams will have assured opportunities for further studies. Most seats will be filled through three main allotment rounds, with classes starting accordingly. After the main phase, remaining vacancies will be filled through supplementary allotments to complete the admission process within the stipulated time.
The first-year Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary exams will begin on March 5, while second-year exams will start on March 6. A total of 411,025 students will appear for first-year exams, 34,122 students for first-year improvement exams, and 452,437 students for second-year exams.
For the first- and second-year Higher Secondary exams, 1,984 exam centres have been set up. Of these, 1,966 centres are in Kerala, 7 centres in the Gulf, 9 centres in Lakshadweep, and 2 centres in Mahe. Around 29,000 teachers will serve as invigilators.