Hyderabad: The SSC Public Examinations 2026 for Class 10 students commenced across Telangana on Saturday, with a total of 5,28,239 students appearing for the exams at 2,676 centres set up across the State.

Students arrived at the examination centres dressed in civil clothes and carrying essential stationery such as exam pads, pens, and other writing materials. Candidates who reached early were allowed to enter the centres starting 8:30 am.

According to the School Education Department, a five-minute grace period has been provided this year as well. Students will be permitted to enter the examination halls only until 9:35 am.

Of the total registered candidates, 2,67,954 are boys and 2,60,285 are girls. The examinations will continue until April 16.

To ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the exams, the authorities have deployed 144 flying squads across the State to conduct surprise inspections at examination centres and prevent malpractice.

Officials stated that students were not allowed to wear their school uniforms while attending the exams to prevent disclosure of their school identity.

Moreover, students are strictly prohibited from carrying mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches or any electronic devices into the examination centres.

Candidates are permitted to bring only essential items such as hall tickets, exam pads, pens, pencils, scales, sharpeners, erasers and geometric instruments. Special arrangements have been made at the entrance of exam centres for the safe and free-of-cost deposit of personal belongings and electronic devices.

Schools to Operate Half-Day Due to Heatwave

Meanwhile, in view of the rising temperatures and intense heat across Telangana, the School Education Department has announced a revision in school timings.

According to the department, all government and private schools in the State will function on a half-day schedule from March 16 to April 23.

Under the revised schedule, schools will operate from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm in order to protect students from the harsh afternoon heat.

In government and local body schools, students will be provided midday meals at 12:30 pm, after which they will be sent home.

However, schools that are functioning as SSC examination centres will follow a different schedule. In such schools, regular classes will be conducted from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, as the morning hours will be used for conducting the SSC examinations.

In these institutions, students will first be provided lunch and classes will begin thereafter.

After the completion of the SSC examinations, schools will revert to the regular half-day schedule from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Summer Holidays Announced

The School Education Department has also announced the summer vacation schedule for the academic year.

Schools across Telangana will remain closed for summer holidays from April 24 to June 11, while the new academic year 2026–27 will begin on June 12.

Officials said the decision to revise school timings and announce holidays early has been taken keeping in mind the health and safety of students amid the increasing summer heat.