The Bihar Education Department has announced changes in the half-yearly exam timetable for all government and government-aided primary schools in the state. Students of Class 1 to Class 8 will now sit for their half-yearly examinations between September 10 and September 18, 2025.

Initially, the exams were scheduled to run from September 10 to September 15. However, officials revised the schedule to extend the exam period until September 18, allowing better management of subjects and evaluation.

According to the revised order, examinations will be held on September 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18. No examinations will take place on September 15.

Evaluation of Co-Scholastic Activities

Apart from academic subjects, co-scholastic activities will also be assessed. Students will be evaluated on 12 points carrying a total of 100 marks. These activities include physical education, arts, vocational skills, and overall personality development.

The evaluation will ensure that students are judged not only on classroom performance but also on extracurricular engagement. This move, according to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), will strengthen holistic education in Bihar schools.

Two Shifts for Examinations

The exams will be conducted in two shifts daily. The first shift will run from 10 am to 12 noon, while the second shift will be held from 1 pm to 3 pm. This double-shift system is aimed at managing student strength and maintaining discipline in schools.

The SCERT has also issued standard operating procedures to ensure smooth conduct of examinations. District Education Officers and District Programme Officers have been instructed to begin preparations immediately.

Oral Exams for Class 1 and 2, Written Tests for Class 3 to 8

The half-yearly examination format varies by grade level. For Class 1 and Class 2 students, the exams will be oral. Class teachers themselves will conduct these tests inside classrooms. Questions will be provided through the state’s e-Shiksha Kosh portal.

For Class 3 to Class 8, exams will be written. SCERT has prepared question papers that will be delivered to the District Education Office by September 3. From there, they will be distributed to Block Education Officers and further sent to schools.

The subjects include environmental studies, mathematics, science, Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Bangla, and Urdu, depending on the grade.

Subject-Specific Evaluations

Class 3 students will be evaluated in physical education and art. Class 6 students will also undergo assessments in physical education, vocational studies, computer science, and art. These evaluations will be done at the school level through grading rather than marks.

Officials emphasized that evaluation will be recorded carefully and maintained for future reference.

Question Paper Distribution and Security

The SCERT has ordered strict monitoring of question paper distribution. Each step of the process, from delivery to storage, will be video recorded. District Education Officers have been tasked with ensuring no leak or malpractice occurs during handling.

Answer sheets will also be collected in a secured manner. The state authorities believe that transparency is essential to maintain credibility.

Control Rooms During Exam Period

Between September 9 and September 18, control rooms will be established in every district. These rooms will monitor the exam process in real time and report irregularities.

Teachers deputed for exam supervision must be finalized by September 8. District Education Officers will submit a complete list of deployed teachers to the department.

This measure has been taken to prevent negligence and ensure discipline during the examination.

Timeline for Evaluation and Parent-Teacher Meetings

Answer sheet evaluation has been scheduled to finish by September 20. Teachers must submit results within the given deadline.

On September 27, a parent-teacher meeting will be held in all primary schools across Bihar. During this meeting, student performance will be discussed in detail, and parents will be given suggestions for improvement.

The meeting is expected to encourage greater parental involvement in education.

Detailed Subject-Wise Schedule

The revised timetable includes specific subjects on different days. According to the SCERT notification, the subject schedule is as follows:

• September 10: Environmental Studies or Social Science for Classes 3 to 8, Science for Classes 6 to 8.

• September 11: Hindi for non-Hindi speakers as a second language, and Mathematics for Classes 3 to 8.

• September 12: Integration of co-scholastic activities across all classes.

• September 13: Hindi, Bangla, or Urdu for Classes 3 to 8, and Sanskrit for Classes 6 to 8.

• September 14: Co-scholastic activities continuation for Classes 3 to 8.

• September 16: English for Classes 3 to 8.

• September 17: Hindi, Bangla, or Urdu for Classes 1 and 2, and Mathematics for Classes 1 and 2.

• September 18: English for Classes 1 and 2.

Importance of Revised Schedule

Education experts believe that the revised schedule is a step in the right direction. It gives enough time for evaluation and avoids rushing examinations. The inclusion of co-scholastic assessment ensures that academic pressure is reduced, and students are encouraged to grow in different areas.

The extension of exam dates also helps schools manage logistics better. With two shifts, congestion will be reduced, and exam centers will remain more disciplined.

Teacher and Administrator Responsibilities

The SCERT has instructed school administrators to strictly follow guidelines. Teachers must ensure fair evaluation and timely submission of results.

District officials have also been told to remain vigilant about any irregularities. Monitoring at every level, from district to school, is being enforced.

Control rooms, video monitoring, and evaluation deadlines show the seriousness of the department. This approach reflects an attempt to bring accountability and transparency in the school examination system.

Broader Implications for Bihar’s Education System

The revised exam plan signals a larger effort to improve education standards in Bihar. By focusing on both academics and co-scholastic areas, the state is promoting all-round development.

The inclusion of physical education, arts, vocational studies, and computer science underlines the importance of diverse skills. This move is expected to benefit students in the long run.

Education authorities hope the revised system will reduce exam stress while raising performance standards.

The Bihar School Examination timetable for Class 1 to Class 8 has been revised. Half-yearly exams will now take place from September 10 to September 18, 2025. The schedule includes written, oral, and co-scholastic evaluations.

Officials have ensured strict monitoring with control rooms, video recordings, and deadlines. Evaluation will finish by September 20, followed by parent-teacher meetings on September 27.

The new plan highlights a commitment to transparency, discipline, and holistic education. For students, it promises a more balanced system that values both academics and skills.