Pune: For the first time in its history, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer has been appointed as the Chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. IAS Trigun Kulkarni, a 2016 batch officer currently serving as Deputy Director General at the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), will now lead the State Board.
About the State Board
The Maharashtra State Board is an autonomous body under the Education Department, responsible for conducting the 10th and 12th board examinations through its divisional boards. Historically, the chairperson of the board has been appointed from officers who came through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission’s education service.
Sharad Gosavi, the previous chairperson, served as Chairman for three years before being transferred as Director of Primary Education. For the last year, he held additional charge of the State Board while continuing his duties in the Primary Education Department.
Significance of Kulkarni’s Appointment
With Trigun Kulkarni’s appointment, an IAS officer will lead the State Board for the first time, marking a significant change in the administration of one of Maharashtra’s largest educational bodies. Kulkarni’s administrative experience at YASHADA is expected to strengthen the governance and functioning of the board.
Examination Schedule for 2026
The State Board conducts exams for over 32 lakh students annually, with supplementary exams for approximately 6 lakh students. For the upcoming session, the board has released the following schedule:
- Class XII: Written exams from February 10 to March 18 across nine zonal boards—Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Amravati, Nashik, Latur, and Konkan. Practical, oral, and internal evaluations for Information Technology and General Knowledge will be held from January 23 to February 9.
- Class X: Written exams from February 20 to March 18. Practical, oral, and internal evaluation exams in subjects such as Anatomy, Health, and Home Science will be conducted from February 2 to 18.
Measures Against Malpractices
The State Board has assured that it is taking stringent steps to prevent any malpractices during the examinations, aiming to ensure fair and transparent assessment for all students.
