Jaipur, Rajasthan – In a landmark move poised to reshape the educational landscape of Rajasthan, the Directorate of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, Bikaner, has officially released the SHIVIRA Panchang for the academic session 2025-26. This comprehensive calendar, spanning from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, provides a detailed framework for the operation of all government and non-government schools, residential schools, special training camps, and teacher training institutions across both elementary and secondary education in the state. The directive, issued by Sitaram Jat, IAS, Director of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, Bikaner, mandates strict adherence to the Panchang for all school operations, departmental programs, and activities.
The new academic session for 2025-26 will officially commence on July 1, 2025, with regular teaching and student attendance beginning on the very first day. The initial phase of the admission festival (Praveshotsav) will run from July 1 to July 16, with the final admission date for classes 9 to 12 set for July 31, 2025.
Key Highlights of the SHIVIRA Panchang 2025-26:
Streamlined Academic Calendar and Admissions:
- The academic session will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
- Regular teaching and student attendance will begin on July 1, 2025.
- The first phase of the Praveshotsav (admission festival) is scheduled from July 1 to July 16.
- The last date for admissions for classes 9 to 12 will be July 31, 2025.
- The SHIVIRA Panchang emphasizes ensuring admission for out-of-school, drop-out, and specially-abled students, including providing age-appropriate enrollment, assessing special educational needs, and arranging condensed curricula and special teaching as required.
- Free textbooks are to be provided to students at the time of admission.
- Students whose board exam results are delayed will be granted admission within seven days of the result declaration.
Revised Holiday Schedule:
- Mid-term Break: October 16 to October 27, 2025.
- Winter Break: December 25, 2025, to January 5, 2026.
- Summer Break: May 17, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
- National holidays declared by the Central and State Governments will be observed.
- School heads can declare two additional local holidays, one before and one after the mid-term break, with prior notification to the controlling officer by July 31, 2025.
- Holidays declared by the District Collector will also be applicable in the respective districts.
- Important national celebrations like August 15 (Independence Day), January 26 (Republic Day), and October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) are mandatory attendance days for teachers, staff, and students, despite being full holidays. October 2 will feature activities based on Mahatma Gandhi’s life and philosophy.
Optimized School Timings and Operations:
- Single Shift Schools:
- Summer (April 1 to September 30): 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM (5.5 hours total, 35-minute periods).
- Winter (October 1 to March 31): 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (6 hours total, 40-minute periods for the first six, 35 minutes for the last two).
- Each school day will consist of 8 periods, with 25 minutes allocated for prayer assembly and recess. Recess will occur after the fourth period.
- Double Shift Schools:
- April 1 to September 30: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (each shift 5.5 hours, 35-minute periods).
- October 1 to March 31: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM (each shift 5 hours, first and fifth periods 35 minutes, others 30 minutes).
- Detailed guidelines are provided for the class distribution in double-shift schools, prioritizing higher classes in the first shift.
- School heads in double-shift schools will work from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Innovative Educational Programs and Initiatives:
- “No Bag Day”: To be observed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, focusing on holistic development and co-curricular activities.This initiative aims to provide an enjoyable learning experience beyond traditional methods. Local experts, artists, social workers, and officials will be invited to share their experiences with students.
- “Shakti Diwas” (Power Day): Every Tuesday will be observed as “Shakti Diwas” under the “Anemia Mukt Rajasthan” (Anemia-Free Rajasthan) program. Students from classes 6 to 12 will receive blue IFA tablets, and students from classes 1 to 5 will receive pink IFA tablets.
- “Swachhta Pakhwada” (Cleanliness Fortnight): Mandatory observance in all schools from September 1 to September 15, 2025.
- ICT and Digital Initiatives: The Panchang emphasizes the effective utilization and maintenance of computer labs, smart classrooms, and robotics labs. [cite_start]It promotes e-content usage through various platforms like e-kaksha channel, Mission Gyan e-content Apps, and Diksha RISE Portal. Robotics labs will introduce students to electronics, electrical, mechanical, AI, and machine learning concepts.
- Mission START: This program aims to ensure the optimal use of computer hardware (ICT labs, smart TVs, projectors) and provide e-content for all subjects. Weekly e-class timetables are to be prepared and uploaded on the Shala Darpan portal.
- Clubs and Activities: Mandatory establishment of Child Rights Clubs, Forest and Environment Clubs, Science Clubs, Road Safety Clubs, and Tourism Clubs in all government higher secondary schools. Activities related to these clubs, including tobacco monitoring, are to be regularly conducted.
- SUPW and Community Service: Emphasis on cleanliness and tree plantation drives as part of Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) and community service camps.
Evaluation and Examination Reforms:
- Term Assessments: First, Second, and Third assessments will be conducted during the academic year.
- Annual and Board Exams: Annual examinations for classes 6 to 12, as well as the Class 8 Elementary Education Completion Certificate Exam and Class 5 Primary Education Learning Level Assessment, will be conducted as per the Panchang. Board exams for classes 10 and 12 will be conducted by the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer.
- Results and progress reports for all classes (except board exams) must be declared and distributed by May 16, 2026.
- For classes 1 to 5, continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) under SIQE will include three summative assessments.
- A 14-day pre-examination preparation leave will be granted to students appearing for Class 10 and 12 board examinations, during which special classes may be organized.
- Supplementary examinations for classes 9 and 11 will be held in the first week of July 2026, with results declared by July 10, 2026.
Enhanced School Management and Monitoring:
- Mandatory monthly meetings of School Management Committees (SMC) and School Development and Management Committees (SDMC) to ensure effective school governance.
- Regular health check-ups for every student under the “Shala Swasthya Karyakram” (School Health Program).
- Timely completion of U-DISE data collection forms by all teachers and school heads.
- The Panchang also includes provisions for the allocation of composite school grants for meeting educational, co-curricular, and physical needs, with 10% specifically earmarked for cleanliness action plans.
This comprehensive SHIVIRA Panchang 2025-26, with its detailed guidelines on academic schedules, holidays, digital learning, health initiatives, and school management, is set to provide a clear and structured framework for educational institutions across Rajasthan. The emphasis on holistic development, digital integration, and community involvement reflects a forward-thinking approach to education in the state.