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Tamil Nadu Board Exams: Over 17 Lakh Students, New Reforms for 2026

More than 17 lakh students in Tamil Nadu are set to appear for the Class 10 and Class 12 public examinations this year, with schedules running from March to April. Key reforms include a new system using trained volunteers as scribes for students with disabilities, replacing subject teachers to prevent misuse. Other measures introduce Aadhaar-based verification for private candidates, allow calculators for Accountancy, and provide new large-print logarithmic tables. The state is deploying thousands of teachers and flying squads to ensure a smooth and transparent examination process.

Key Points: TN Board Exams 2026: Schedule, Reforms for 17 Lakh Students

  • Over 17 lakh total examinees
  • New trained scribe system to prevent misuse
  • Aadhaar verification for private candidates
  • Calculators allowed for Accountancy
2 min read

TN Board exams: Over 17 lakh students to appear; new reforms, schedule announced

Over 17 lakh students to appear for TN Class 10, 12 board exams. New reforms include trained scribes, Aadhaar verification, and calculator use.

"trained volunteers will serve as scribes, replacing subject teachers - School Education Minister"

Chennai, Feb 18

More than 17 lakh students across Tamil Nadu will appear for the Class 10 and Class 12 public examinations this year, with the School Education Department stepping up preparations to ensure smooth and transparent conduct.

School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials on Tuesday to assess examination readiness and prevent any irregularities.

The school education department, in a statement, said that as per official data, 8,27,475 students will write the Class 12 examinations, including 27,783 private candidates.

For Class 10, as many as 9,09,002 students are set to appear, including 26,196 private candidates.

Additionally, 25,051 students will take the Class 11 arrear examinations, of whom 5,944 are private candidates.

It may be noted that Class 12 board exams will be held from March 2 to March 26, while Class 10 exams are scheduled from March 11 to April 6.

Educational access initiatives continue, with 281 prison inmates appearing for the Class 12 exams and 395 inmates for Class 10 exams this year.

To ensure smooth conduct, around 49,000 teachers will be deployed daily on examination duties. In addition, more than 4,900 flying squad members will monitor examination centres to prevent malpractice.

Following complaints last year about misuse of the scribe facility meant for students with disabilities, the Minister announced a new system under which trained volunteers will serve as scribes, replacing subject teachers who previously handled the role. This measure aims to prevent ineligible candidates from availing the facility and to keep teachers fully engaged in invigilation duties.

Students will also benefit from new academic support measures. A new A4-sized logarithmic table book with larger fonts has been introduced for use in examinations.

From this year, candidates appearing for Accountancy will be allowed to use ordinary non-programmable calculators.

To verify residential details of private candidates and ensure they take exams within their respective districts, Aadhaar-based verification has been introduced, with details uploaded in the system.

Responding to teachers' requests, the Minister said the proposal to install CCTV cameras in examination centres would be studied.

With enhanced monitoring, technological safeguards and student-friendly reforms, the state aims to conduct the 2026 board examinations fairly and efficiently.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

K
Karthik V
Over 17 lakh students! That's a massive logistical challenge. Deploying trained volunteers as scribes instead of teachers is a smart reform to prevent misuse. But I hope these volunteers are properly vetted and trained. All the best to all the students appearing! 🙏
R
Rahul R
The Aadhaar-based verification for private candidates is a necessary step. It will help maintain the integrity of the exam. However, I respectfully question the delay in installing CCTV cameras. It's 2026, and most exams should have this basic monitoring tech by now. The 'proposal will be studied' sounds like bureaucratic delay.
S
Sarah B
It's heartening to see the inclusion efforts for prison inmates appearing for exams. Education is a fundamental right and a path to rehabilitation. Wishing all 676 inmates the very best for their papers.
M
Meera T
My sister is appearing for her 12th boards. The schedule is tight but seems well-planned. Just hoping the question papers are fair and the evaluation is timely. The pressure on these kids is immense. Families are also stressed! #BoardExams
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Aman W
Good to see the government taking teacher requests seriously by considering CCTV cameras. 49,000 teachers on duty daily is a huge number. Hope their concerns about fair deployment and working conditions are also addressed. Jai Hind!

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