Mohali, February 11:- The Punjab School Education Board has made extensive technical and administrative arrangements to conduct the upcoming board examinations across the state in a smooth, transparent, and copy-free manner.
Dr. Amarpal Singh, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Punjab School Education Board, informed that this year the Board has implemented an advanced digital tracking system through the newly launched MATQ App, which will monitor the secure transportation of question papers. This app tracks the entire process — from the Board’s head office to the designated banks for safe custody of question papers, and from the designated banks to the concerned examination centers. 
Uploading photographic evidence at the time of depositing and receiving sealed packets is mandatory. The app captures GPS coordinates and automatically matches them with pre-saved authorized locations, thereby ensuring complete accountability and transparency and eliminating any possibility of error. The Chairman also informed that a control room is being established at the head office for redressal of complaints to ensure smooth conduct of the examinations.
For the convenience of students, a clear map of the examination centers has been printed on the roll number slips so that candidates can identify their centers in advance.
To maintain strict confidentiality and discipline, observers will be appointed on the same day during important examinations. In addition, more than 300 flying squads have been constituted across Punjab to prevent copying and ensure a fair environment.
For enhanced transparency and security, answer sheets will be distributed at examination centers in a controlled manner. To maintain secrecy, the Board is implementing a barcoding system on answer sheets, which will keep the identity of the candidate confidential during evaluation and ensure fair assessment.
Dr. Amarpal Singh further stated that as an important step towards fair evaluation, for the first time this year, practical examinations are being conducted through external examiners. The scheduled practical examinations from 2 February to 12 February are being conducted smoothly across the state.
For the convenience of candidates, approximately 2,366 examination centers have been established. This year, about 2,77,316 students will appear in the Class 8 examination, 2,72,560 students in Class 10, and 2,68,794 students in Class 12. The board examinations for Class 8 and Class 12 will commence from 17 February, while the Class 10 examinations will begin from 6 March.
Through these extensive technological initiatives and strict monitoring systems, the Board is committed to conducting the 2026 board examinations at the highest standards of transparency, security, and fairness.