Thiruvananthapuram: The SSLC and Higher Secondary Plus One examinations in Kerala will begin on Thursday, March 5, while the Plus Two examinations are scheduled to start on Friday, March 6.

The Vocational Higher Secondary (VHSE) examinations will also commence during the same period, marking the start of the state’s annual public examination cycle.

However, examinations scheduled this week in four Gulf centres have been postponed due to the escalating conflict in West Asia. The SSLC examination scheduled for March 5 and the Higher Secondary examinations scheduled from March 5 to March 7 in these centres have been deferred, with revised dates to be announced later.

Over 4.17 lakh students to write SSLC exams

A total of 4,17,497 students will appear for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination at 3,031 centres across Kerala this month, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said.

The SSLC examinations are scheduled to run from March 5 to March 30.

In addition to candidates in Kerala, 633 students have registered at seven centres in the Gulf region, while 386 students will write the examination at nine centres in Lakshadweep, the minister said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram.

Exam arrangements completed across districts

The distribution of answer sheets for SSLC, Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary examinations has been completed in schools under 41 District Educational Offices.

Question papers have reached all district offices and, after sorting, have been placed in secure lockers at banks and treasuries.

Appointments of Chief Superintendents and Deputy Chief Superintendents for the SSLC examinations have also been finalised. Around 26,000 teachers will be deployed across the state for invigilation duties.

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Valuation process to begin in April

For the valuation process, applications have been invited for the appointment of around 950 Additional Chief Examiners and 9,000 Examiners across 72 valuation camps.

Appointment orders are expected in the second week of March, and valuation camps will run from April 7 to April 28.

The SSLC results are expected to be announced by the third week of May 2026.

Plus One admissions to follow SSLC results

Online applications for Plus One admissions for the 2026–27 academic year will open the day after the SSLC results are published.

Officials said that, as in previous years, adequate seats will be available to ensure higher education opportunities for all students who qualify for the examination.

Most admissions will be completed through three main allotments, after which Plus One classes will begin. Remaining vacancies will later be filled through supplementary allotments following fresh applications.

Higher Secondary examination details

The first-year Higher Secondary examinations will begin on March 5, while the second-year examinations will start on March 6.

According to current registration figures:

  • 4,11,025 students will appear for the first-year Higher Secondary examination.
  • 3,41,222 students have registered for the first-year improvement examination.
  • 4,52,437 students will appear for the second-year Higher Secondary examination.

A total of 1,984 examination centres have been set up for the Higher Secondary examinations. Of these, 1,966 are in Kerala, seven are in the Gulf region, nine are in Lakshadweep, and two are in Mahe.

The Higher Secondary results are expected to be declared on May 22, the minister said.

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Vocational Higher Secondary examinations

In the Vocational Higher Secondary stream, 26,829 first-year students and 26,826 second-year regular students have registered for the examinations.

There are 389 examination centres and eight valuation camps for the vocational stream, with around 3,700 teachers assigned for examination duties.

Valuation camps for vocational subjects will begin on April 6, immediately after the completion of the theory examinations.

Gulf exams postponed amid regional conflict

Minister Sivankutty confirmed that examinations in Gulf centres have been postponed due to the intensifying conflict in West Asia.

“With the conflict escalating in the Middle East, conducting examinations in the Gulf region has become a major challenge. The SSLC examination scheduled for March 5 and the Higher Secondary examinations on March 5, 6 and 7 in the Gulf centres have therefore been postponed. Revised dates will be announced later,” he said.

The minister said the government was aware that several students were facing difficulties reaching examination centres.

“We understand that many students in the Gulf and in Kerala are anxious because they are unable to reach their exam centres. The Department of General Education stands firmly with these students,” he added.

Students unable to attend the examinations due to travel difficulties have been advised to submit applications through their class teachers or principals to the Director of General Education. Each request will be examined and appropriate decisions taken in the students’ best interests.

Rising tensions in West Asia

The postponement comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia following a joint missile strike by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28, reportedly under an operation referred to as Operation Roaring Lion / Operation Epic Fury.

US President Donald Trump and Iranian state media said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes along with several members of his family. Iran has since declared 40 days of public mourning.

Iranian strikes have reportedly targeted locations in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait, saying US bases in the region were being targeted. An oil tanker was also reported hit off the coast of Oman, while airlines have cancelled or diverted flights across parts of the West Asian region.

Inputs from agencies