UP Board Exams 2025 Postponed: New Dates Due to MahaKumbh Festival in Prayagraj

Mar, 2 2025

The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has decided to shift the dates of the UP Board Exams 2025 for Class 10 and 12 in Prayagraj, moving them from February 24 to March 9. This decision aligns with efforts to manage the extraordinary influx of pilgrims during the ongoing MahaKumbh celebrations. Students and administrators are keen to ensure exams proceed without hitch, particularly around the Mahashivratri festival on February 26, which attracts a staggering number of devotees.

This thoughtful decision primarily focuses on safeguarding students and maintaining effective traffic management. The congested city sees immense footfall during this time, which could otherwise lead to unavoidable disturbances. In detail, the rescheduled exams will cover Class 10's Elementary Hindi and Healthcare papers, along with Class 12's Military Science and Hindi/General Hindi examinations. The shifts will retain their original timings: from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM and 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM.

Gulab Devi, the State Minister of Secondary Education, articulated the rationale, emphasizing the prioritization of public safety and effective crowd management amid the festival's jubilation. She underscored the stringent anti-malpractice policies that will be in place. Penalties are considerable for misconduct, reaching up to 7 years in prison or more, and fines up to ₹10 lakh for those found guilty of threatening or interfering with exam officials.

Interestingly, Prayagraj is not the only city in consideration; Ayodhya and Varanasi, other key spiritual centers, managed to keep the examination timeline intact. Authorities there demonstrated innovative solutions by arranging dedicated routes to assist students in reaching their centers without hindrance, a strategy aiming to balance both educational needs and cultural events seamlessly.

With over 54 lakh students registered for the Uttar Pradesh Board exams, this adjustment marks a significant effort to ensure the academic process remains on track amidst one of India's largest spiritual gatherings. The new end date for these examinations is March 12, 2025, giving a small additional buffer to wrap up proceedings.