Exam Anxiety Peaks: City Launches Helplines for Students

With Class 10 and 12 board examinations scheduled to begin on February 17, student anxiety is high in Chandigarh. The UT education department has established exam helplines across the city's 96 government schools to support students. Eighteen lecturers, TGTs, and counselors are available to assist until April 10, 2026, from 3 pm to 7:30 pm daily.

This initiative aims to address last-minute academic queries, exam strategy concerns, and stress management, offering both academic and emotional support. Approximately 18,000 students will take the Class 10 exams and 20,000 students will sit for Class 12 exams. Counselors report common student concerns include time management, stress, and understanding revised exam patterns, particularly in science subjects.

Beyond subject-specific help, counselors are addressing emotional distress, with students reporting feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. They are advised to practice sample papers and utilize memory aids. Experts also recommend an organized study plan, tackling difficult topics first, and practicing relaxation techniques. Parental support is highlighted as a significant factor in student confidence.

Separately, CBSE has clarified its new Class 10 board exam policy for 2026. Students can take exams on two occasions, but the first is compulsory, and the second is limited to subject improvement in a maximum of three subjects.