Intermediate Exam Fee Hike in Punjab Sparks Parent Protests – Parents in Punjab Rally Against Sudden Cost Increase

Punjab has witnessed a major uproar as the recent *Intermediate Exam Fee Hike in Punjab Sparks Parent Protests. Thousands of parents and education stakeholders are protesting against the sharp jump in examination charges introduced by the Punjab education boards for the 2026 annual intermediate exams. The fee revision, particularly the hike in CCTV camera charges, has triggered widespread concern across the province. According to reports from official sources and top 10 Google news outlets, families are calling the decision unfair and financially burdensome amid difficult economic conditions.

Aspect	Details
Province	Punjab, Pakistan
Exam	Intermediate (HSSC) Annual 2026
Fee Hike Trigger	CCTV Installation Charge Increase
Previous Charge	Rs.30 per student
New Charge	Rs.1,030 per student
Response	Parent Protests & Demands
Main Grievance	Financial Burden on Families
Official Link	https://hed.punjab.gov.pk

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Why the Intermediate Exam Fee Hike Happened

The Boards Committee of Chairmen in Punjab revised the fee structure for the 2026 intermediate annual exams. The most controversial change was raising the CCTV monitoring charge from a nominal Rs.30 in past exams to a hefty Rs.1,030 per student. This cost is added to the overall examination entry fee, increasing the financial load on students and their families.

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What Parents Are Saying

Parents argue that CCTV installation should be funded by the boards, not students.
Many families describe the hike as “unfair” and “costly” due to rising living expenses in Punjab.
Protests have sprung up in multiple districts across the province.
Parents are demanding an immediate rollback of the new fee structure.

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Official Examination Fee Details

According to the notification issued by Punjab education authorities: the major fee change was linked to surveillance measures for exam transparency. Other exam charges remain similar but have collectively made the total fee significantly higher than previous years.

CCTV installation: Increased to Rs.1,030
Standard entry and processing fees: unchanged or slightly adjusted
Boards stressed the need for improved monitoring

Timeline of Events

Parents and education experts noted the fee revision came shortly before the registration deadlines for the Intermediate exams scheduled in May 2026. The unexpected timing added pressure on families already struggling to arrange finances.

Fee announcement: Early February 2026
Admission schedule extended: Mid-February 2026
Protests began: Immediately after announcement
Ongoing discussions with education boards

Step-by-Step: How to Submit Exam Forms Under New Schedule

Visit the official board website to download admission forms.
Fill in personal and academic information accurately.
Pay the full fee including CCTV charge at designated banks.
Submit the form and fee voucher before the extended deadline.
Keep a copy of payment proof for future reference.
Contact the board if discrepancies occur after submission.

Impact on Students and Families

The fee increase has strained middle and lower-income households. While the boards argue that cameras improve exam transparency, many parents feel this cost should be covered through official budgets, not student pockets.

Helpline & Contact Information

For official assistance, students and parents can reach out to these contacts:

Pun jab Boards Committee of Chairmen: Contact through official PBCC website (link above)
Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Lahore: Visit https://www.biselahore.com (Official BISE Lahore)
BISE Rawalpindi: Visit https://www.biserawalpindi.edu.pk/
Punjab Higher Education Department: Email and phone contacts available on the official website

Conclusion

The *Intermediate Exam Fee Hike in Punjab Sparks Parent Protests* due to the unexpected and significant increase in exam-related charges. While the government aims to ensure transparent and fair examinations, the financial burden on students and families has become a major concern. Many are urging authorities to revise or absorb the extra costs, emphasizing fairness and accessibility for all students as exams approach. Decision-makers are expected to engage with parent groups soon to address the situation.