The 2026 HSLC and Higher Secondary Final Examinations in Assam will be conducted exclusively in government schools, with only government school teachers appointed as invigilators, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on January 24.
The decision marks a significant administrative shift in how board examinations are managed in the state and aims to ensure tighter control, better coordination, and zero lapses during the conduct of the exams.
What the Assam government has decided
For the 2026 HSLC and Higher Secondary examinations in Assam, the state government has decided that exams will be held only in government schools, and invigilation duties will be assigned exclusively to government school teachers. The move aims to strengthen administrative control and ensure free, fair, and transparent examinations.
Exams to be managed entirely by government machinery
Chief Minister Sarma said both the HSLC (Class 10) and Higher Secondary (Class 12) examinations will be handled entirely within the government school system. This includes exam centres, invigilation, supervision, and related administrative responsibilities.
He assured that there would be no shortage of teachers to manage examination duties. According to him, nearly 10,000 teachers have been recruited recently, and another 5,000 appointments are expected by February, which may even result in surplus manpower in some districts.
Election period cited as key reason
The Chief Minister explained that the decision was taken keeping in mind that the board examinations will run almost parallel to the election process, making routine monitoring more challenging.
To address this, centre in-charges were called for an orientation and were specifically requested to ensure smooth and disciplined conduct of examinations despite administrative pressures during the election period.
Reference to the ADRE exam experience
Sarma referred to the successful conduct of the ADRE examinations, which were also managed using trained government teachers. He said this experience demonstrated that relying on government educators ensures accountability and procedural clarity.
He added that the School Education Board has already implemented detailed training programmes, clear operational guidelines, and structured monitoring systems for all officials involved in examination duties.
Emphasis on fairness and transparency
The state government reiterated that responsibility for exam integrity would rest squarely with centre superintendents and assistant superintendents. The objective, Sarma said, is to maintain a system that is free from irregularities and public distrust.
Officials said the move would also reduce dependence on private institutions and external invigilators, streamlining command and communication during the examination period.
Other remarks by the Chief Minister
During the programme, Sarma also briefly mentioned his recent visit to Davos, Switzerland, stating that discussions on investment proposals would resume after Republic Day. He said several investors have expressed interest in Assam, with a formal programme planned in February for signing Memorandums of Understanding.
Why this matters for Assam students
The decision directly affects thousands of students appearing for board examinations across Assam. By standardising exam centres and invigilation under government supervision, the state aims to reduce inconsistencies and strengthen public confidence in the examination system.
Education officials believe the move could set a long-term precedent for exam administration in Assam.
What happens next
The School Education Board is expected to issue detailed operational instructions to districts and schools ahead of the 2026 examination cycle. Training and deployment plans for invigilators and supervisory staff will be finalised in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the 2026 HSLC and Higher Secondary exams be held in Assam?
The exams will be conducted only in government schools across the state.
Who will serve as invigilators for the 2026 board exams?
Only government school teachers will be assigned invigilation and examination-related duties.
