Goa board schools to start 2026-27 academic year for Classes VI to X, XII from April 1

Panaji: The directorate of education released the schedule for the new academic year 2026-27, and the year will begin from April 1, 2026, for Classes VI to X and Class XII, as per the changes made last year as part of implementation of NEP for these classes.

The first term for 2026-27 will be from April 1 and after one month of schooling, students will get a month’s summer break from May 1. Schools will resume from June 6 and the first term will end on Oct 10.


The second term will be from Oct 12 to March 24, 2027. Students get around a week’s rest before the next academic year starts.

For students of lower classes, a longer break has been retained in view of the summer.

“For Classes I to IV and Class XI: As per the amended Rule 21 of Goa School Education Rules, 1986, the school will reopen on June 6 for the academic year 2026-27. Terms, vacations, and breaks will remain the same as that for Classes VI to X and Class XII,” states the circular.

Earlier, Goa’s academic calendar began from June. But the state decided to start the year from April as officials said that the added instructional days are needed to meet the requirement of NEP. As part of NEP implementation in these classes, four new school assessment subjects have been added, which are physical education, art education, vocational education, and multidisciplinary subjects.

While the Ganesh Chaturthi festival break will be from Sep 14 to 19, the Diwali vacation will be from Nov 2 to 21, and Christmas break from Dec 24 to Jan 2, 2027.

State officials have said that the increase in days in an academic year is as is in force for all other boards, and being implemented by these central and international board schools in Goa too. The officials have maintained that Goa schools enjoyed the longest summer break and that these days can be better utilised if added to the academic calendar.

Last year, parents had opposed the move to start schools from April for these classes, stating that the earlier schedule was better suited for Goa as the state experiences very hot summer days in April. However, govt directed that schools end early during April to keep students protected during increased summer heat.

The first term exam will be held so as to end on Oct 10 and the second term exam preferably by March 13, 2027, so that the final results are not declared before March 31, 2027, the circular states.