Punjab Board exam fees for 2026, adding CCTV & miscellaneous charges. See the complete breakdown for FA/FSc students and why private schools are protesting.
Breaking: Punjab Board Exam Fees Announced for 2026 Exams
In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, all nine education boards in Punjab have drastically increased examination fees to address a severe financial crisis. The decision places a significant new financial burden on hundreds of thousands of students preparing for the 2026 board examinations.
Read it: Punjab Matric Exams 2026: Schedule Announced for Class 9 & 10
The fee revision introduces new mandatory charges and hikes existing ones, leading to a total cost that private candidates and regular students must now bear. Key stakeholders, including major private school associations, have unanimously condemned the increase as unjust and burdensome.
Why the Sudden Increase in Punjab Board Exam Fees?
Board officials cite a critical financial shortfall in their operational budgets as the primary reason. The revised fee structure is estimated to generate up to Rs. 15 billion for the provincial boards, funds deemed necessary to manage examination processes.
Complete Breakdown of New Fee Structure (Intermediate Annual Exams 2026)
Here is a detailed itemized list of the revised fees for the intermediate (FA/FSc) annual examinations, scheduled to begin May 20, 2026:
| Fee Component | Amount (Rs.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Fee | 1,000 | – |
| Registration Fee | 1,000 | – |
| Processing Fee | 1,000 | Significantly increased |
| Certificate Fee | 1,000 | Increased from Rs. 550 |
| Miscellaneous Fee | 900 | Newly added charge |
| CCTV Camera Fee | 30 | New charge for installation at centers |
| Development Charges | 350 | – |
| Scholarship Fee | 250 | – |
| Postal Charges | 300 | – |
On top of this, students must pay specific admission fees based on their category:
- Regular Arts Students: Rs. 1,700
- Regular Science Students: Rs. 1,740
- Private Arts Students: Rs. 1,800
- Private Science Students: Rs. 1,900
Read it: Pairing Scheme 2026 Matric and Intermediate Classes
Total Payout of Punjab Board Exam Fees 2026
After combining all charges, private candidates appearing for FA/FSc annual exams will need to pay a staggering Rs. 7,730.
Regular students (those affiliated with colleges) will pay slightly less, but still a hefty Rs. 7,570.
Strong Opposition from Education Associations
The fee hike has been met with fierce resistance from all major private school bodies in Pakistan:
- Abrar Ahmed Khan, President of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association
- Irfan Muzaffar Kiani, President of the All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association
- Malik Naseem Ahmed, President of the All Pakistan Private Schools Association
Their United Stance:
The leaders have outright rejected the increase, calling it exploitative. They argue:
- CCTV Cameras Already Exist: Examination halls are already equipped with surveillance systems. Charging students for their “installation” is unreasonable.
- Miscellaneous Fee is Unjustified: The new Rs. 900 “miscellaneous” charge lacks transparency and justification.
- Excessive Increases: The sharp rise in certificate and processing fees is disproportionate and adds unnecessary hardship for families.
Impact on Students and Parents
The compounded increase comes at a time of already high inflation, squeezing middle and lower-income families. Parents and students are expressing concern over the rising cost of secondary and higher secondary education in Punjab, questioning what additional value or security the new fees provide.
What’s Next?
As the May 2026 examination date approaches, pressure is mounting on the Punjab board exam fees decision. The private school associations are likely to lobby for a rollback or a more phased and justified implementation of any increases.
