Scholarship exam postponed in Maharashtra as it clashes with CTET 2026

Maharashtra State Examination Council, Pune, has preponed the Class 5 and Class 8 Scholarship Exam 2026 as the scheduled date was clashing with the CTET exam.

Exams that were to take place on February 8, 2026, will now take place in one day on February 22, 2026, in the entire state.

The decision was taken following the demand by several primary and secondary teachers since many of them are scheduled to appear for the CTET conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education on the same day. Keeping this in view, the Council agreed to revise the schedule to avoid inconvenience and ensure smooth conduct of both the examinations.

Hence, students who have been preparing for the Scholarship Examination will have to change their study plan with the new timetable once the official announcement has been made. The council further added that this revised date would avoid disruption to teachers and schools involved in both the examinations.

Therefore, MSCE Commissioner Anuradha Oak has called upon all students, parents, schools, and examination centres to take note of the change of date and prepare for the same accordingly. She also stated that the decision taken by the Council was in response to valid concerns raised by teachers and stakeholders throughout the state.

IMPORTANCE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION 

The Government of Maharashtra State, through its Department of Education, conducts Scholarship examinations with the aim of giving much-needed financial assistance to needy talented students. These tests, therefore, principally serve as a support system through which students can continue with their education or carry out other requirements without any form of financial constraint.

Scholarship Examinations are held for students in Class 4 and Class 8 in Maharashtra. Similarly, there is the National Scholarship Examination to provide national level scholarships to the students, amongst a few other central schemes. The Scholarship Examination is an examination wherein students can be considered for financial aid based on merit. 

WHY THE DATE CLASHED WITH CTET 

CTET is the national eligibility test for teachers, and a number of teachers from Maharashtra appear in this test for career advancement and recruitment opportunities. In view of CTET to be held on February 8, 2026, the teachers said that they will face inconvenience in arranging invigilation on that day for the Scholarship Examination. In light of issues such as operational hassles at examination centres, the Maharashtra State Examination Council changed the date to February 22, 2026.