Fee Hike Before Board Exams Shocks Tribal Parents

Banswara. The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE), Ajmer has increased the examination fees for Classes 10 and 12, creating a major financial challenge for families in the tribal region of Banswara. In times of rising inflation, parents say the sudden fee hike feels like “adding salt to the wound.” More than 38,000 students from Banswara district alone will be affected.

Exam Fee Increased From ₹600 to ₹850

Senior leader of Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh Siyarams, Virendra Choudhary, said the board has abruptly raised the theoretical examination fee from ₹600 to ₹850 and doubled the practical exam fee from ₹100 to ₹200 per subject.
He termed this decision unjustified and arbitrary.

Choudhary alleged that poor tribal students are being burdened financially while board employees receive hefty annual bonuses worth thousands of rupees. He also stated that the Board delays payments for evaluation, inspection, and other tasks, and makes unnecessary 20% deductions under various heads like temple and magazine funds.

Demand to Include Tribal Region in the New Board Executive Committee

The organisation has demanded that the upcoming RBSE executive committee include the tribal region of Banswara by appointing a chairman and members from the area.
Choudhary said that the Board has not formed a new committee for several years and continues to take one-sided, anti-student decisions under the administrator’s control.

All Students Will Pay ₹850 From Session 2026–27

As per the decision taken in the meeting chaired by the Education Secretary, from the 2026–27 session, both regular and private students will have to pay ₹850 as examination fees.
The practical exam fee will also be ₹200.

Earlier fees were:
• Regular students: ₹600
• Private students: ₹650
• Practical exam: ₹100

This hike is being viewed as a move that could push tribal students further away from education.

20 Lakh Students Across Rajasthan to Be Impacted

According to board officials, the hike was necessary due to rising costs of printing question papers, evaluation, and managing exam centers.

The Board currently earns about ₹130 crore annually from exam fees. With the revised fees, its income will increase—but parents of nearly 20 lakh students across the state will face the financial burden.

Anger Among Students and Parents

Local student Narayan Lal Charpota said that coaching and book prices are already high, and with this fee hike, education is becoming even more difficult for ordinary families.

Former Sarpanch Dheerajmal of Nav Srijit Gram Panchayat said the decision will especially hurt poor tribal children and will have a negative impact on girls’ education. He also criticized the sudden increase without any public consultation.

Relief Scheme Demanded for Tribal BPL Families

Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh Siyarams’ State Administrative President Siyaram Sharma said the decision is not administratively justified and urged the government to introduce a reimbursement relief scheme for tribal BPL families so that economically weak students are not forced to drop out.

Board Exams From February 12 — Revised Academic Calendar Announced

Education Director Sitaram Jat has issued a revised Shivira Calendar to begin the new academic session earlier.

Updated Exam Schedule

• Class 10 & 12 Board Exams: February 12 – March 12
• Class 9 & 11 Exams: March 10 – March 25
• Class 5 & 8 Exams: Before March 12 (instead of April 2026)
• Classes 3, 4, 6 & 7: Annual exams in March
• Second Assessment: November (instead of December)
• Third Assessment: March (instead of April)

District education officials and schools have begun preparations according to the revised schedule.