UP Board High School Exam 2026: No Admit Card? Here’s What the Board Says

More than 50 lakh students will appear for the Uttar Pradesh Board high school and intermediate examinations beginning February 18. The exams will be conducted at over 8,000 centres across the state.

Students appearing for the high school examination will continue with the Optical Mark Recognition system introduced in 2023. Under this format, candidates must answer 20 objective questions in a 70 mark paper by darkening circles on an OMR sheet. The remaining 50 marks will be based on descriptive answers written in answer पुस्तिकाएँ.

OMR sheets with strict instructions

Roll numbers and subjects will be pre printed on the OMR sheets to reduce clerical errors. Students must mark the question paper series carefully and fill circles using a blue or black ballpoint pen.

Any attempt to cut, erase or use correction fluid on the OMR sheet will lead to cancellation. In such cases, an orange OMR sheet will be issued. Candidates will then have to fill in all details, including roll number and subject, on their own.

Room invigilators will verify details on the OMR sheets. Students have been advised to read instructions printed on the reverse before marking answers.

Each OMR sheet will have a counter foil arrangement. The main sheet and lower counter foil will be separated and sealed in different envelopes at the end of the examination to prevent tampering.

Provision for forgotten admit cards

Candidates who forget their admit cards will be allowed to sit provisionally. The centre administrator may permit them to appear on the condition that they produce the admit card or a duplicate in the next examination. Failure to do so will prevent them from appearing in further papers.

A 30 minute grace period has been provided for latecomers with valid reasons. Errors in name, gender or identification details on admit cards will be verified with other documents.

Disabled candidates will receive 20 minutes of extra time. If the examination centre is in a multi storey building, they will be seated on the ground floor.

Teachers in government and aided schools have been assigned 20 compulsory duty shifts for smooth conduct of examinations.

Practical exam rescheduling

During intermediate practical examinations, 4,372 students were unable to appear. Of these, 1,355 were absent in the first phase, 379 could not be examined due to absence of four examiners, and 1,754 missed the second phase.

The Board has announced that these students will get another opportunity after written exams conclude on March 12. Students who miss practicals due to illness or genuine reasons will get two chances in total.

Guidance from officials

The Secondary Education Department conducted a YouTube session featuring Additional Chief Secretary Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma and Secondary Education Council Secretary Bhagwati Singh.

Sharma said many students “know everything” but struggle to express it effectively in writing.

He advised students to take mock tests, attempt familiar questions first, use headings, highlight key points and draw diagrams where relevant. He urged them to manage time carefully and leave five minutes at the end for revision.

Helpline for stress management

Students have been contacting the psychology department’s toll free helpline 1800 180 5311 to discuss exam related stress. Many have reported distraction due to mobile phones and social media, while others have described anxiety symptoms.

PN Singh, director of the department, advised parents to provide a supportive environment and avoid excessive pressure.

Students have been encouraged to follow a timetable, limit phone usage, replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations, practise yoga or meditation and avoid comparisons.

Officials said the focus should remain on preparation and effort rather than pressure over high marks.

Written examinations will continue until March 12.