Pakistan’s education authorities have approved a significant policy change allowing Matric (Arts/Humanities) students to pursue science groups at the intermediate level. Under the new guidelines, students who completed their matriculation in Arts will now be eligible for Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering, Computer Science (ICS), and other science-related groups in Intermediate education.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC), and a notification issued by IBCC Director Dr. Shahzad Ali Gill stated that the policy will take effect from the first annual Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations of 2026. The policy was finalized after consultations with key stakeholders, including the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Education officials have described the change as a “landmark decision,” noting that it opens new academic pathways for thousands of Arts students across Pakistan, enabling greater flexibility in career and higher education choices.
Separately, the Punjab education minister announced that Matric and Intermediate examinations will now be held after Eidul Fitr 2026, providing students with relief during Ramadan and Eid holidays. Matric exams were originally scheduled to begin on March 3, while the schedule for Intermediate exams was under review. Both examinations will now take place following the Eid celebrations, ensuring students have adequate preparation time.
