Census Duty for Teachers May Lead to Rescheduling of Madhyamik and Higher Secondary Examinations

MP, Kolkata, Nov 3, 2026: The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has proposed shifting the 2027 Madhyamik examinations from February to March, while the Higher Secondary (HS) examinations may also be rescheduled beyond March 16, as teachers are likely to be deployed for Census duty.

In a letter dated November 2 to the Commissioner of School Education, WBBSE president Lalu Das sought approval for the revised Madhyamik schedule, citing the likely deployment of teachers for the second phase of Census 2027.

The Madhyamik examinations were originally scheduled from February 15 to 25. The Board has now proposed holding them after March 1. The revised subject-wise schedule has been sent to the School Education Department for approval.

The Board’s letter refers to a communication dated October 28 from the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, requesting examination authorities to avoid scheduling major examination papers before March 1, 2027.

The second phase of Census 2027, involving house-to-house enumeration, is scheduled to begin in January and conclude by March 1.

The WBBSE said a substantial number of school teachers, including secondary school teachers, would be engaged in the enumeration exercise. Their deployment would create administrative, logistical and invigilation challenges if the examinations were held according to the original schedule.

Following consultations with Board officials and administrative stakeholders, the Board decided to propose revised examination dates.

The Board has also proposed aligning the revised Madhyamik schedule with the Higher Secondary semester examinations to avoid clashes in the use of examination centres and other logistical arrangements.

It has also taken into account national-level competitive examinations to ensure that Madhyamik candidates are not disadvantaged in future admissions, stream allotments or eligibility for entrance examinations.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) president Asit Kumar Mondal said on Tuesday that the Council was considering holding the Higher Secondary examinations after March 16. Work on a revised examination routine is underway.