Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) has made Personal Contact Programme (PCP) classes mandatory for students studying under the Himachal Pradesh State Open School (HPSOS). This rule applies to students of Classes 8, 10, and 12 who will appear for the March 2026 exams. These important classes will be held from January 15 to February 28, 2026 , at various HPSOS study centres across the state.
The main goal of these PCP classes is to help Open School students understand their subjects better and get proper guidance for their upcoming exams. HPBOSE has asked all study centres to follow these new rules strictly. The board has also stated that all PCP class sessions must be conducted under CCTV surveillance to ensure everything runs smoothly and fairly.
What are PCP Classes?
PCP stands for Personal Contact Programme. These are special classes designed for students who study through the Open School system. Unlike regular school students who attend classes daily, Open School students mostly study on their own. PCP classes offer them a chance to meet teachers, clear doubts, get direct teaching, and engage with their studies more actively. This helps them prepare well for their exams.
Key Dates for PCP Classes 2026
Students must remember these dates carefully:
- Start Date: January 15, 2026
- End Date: February 28, 2026
These classes are crucial for eligible HPSOS students as they provide essential academic support before the March 2026 examinations.
Who Must Attend PCP Classes?
The HPBOSE notification clearly lists the students for whom PCP classes are compulsory. If you fall into one of these categories, you must attend these classes:
| Student Category | Requirement |
| HPSOS Class 8, 10, and 12 candidates | Mandatory |
| Fresh candidates (newly enrolled) | Mandatory |
| Additional subject candidates | Mandatory |
| Class 12 Direct Science candidates | Mandatory (especially for practical subjects) |
These classes are designed to give these students systematic teaching, make concepts clear, and boost their academic involvement. This direct teaching helps them overcome challenges they might face while studying independently.
Who Does Not Need to Attend PCP Classes?
HPBOSE has also specified which students are not required to attend these PCP classes. If your category is listed below, you are excused from attending:
| Student Category | Requirement |
| Reappear candidates | Not eligible |
| Improvement candidates | Not eligible |
| Special Marks Improvement candidates | Not eligible |
It is important for students to check their status carefully to know if they need to attend or not.
Rules for HPSOS Study Centres
Study centres have specific rules they must follow to conduct these mandatory PCP classes:
- Minimum Students: Each HPSOS study centre must have at least 25 fresh candidates to organise PCP classes.
- Fewer Students: If a centre has less than 25 students, it must work together with the nearest HPSOS study centre. This ensures that even students at smaller centres get access to these important classes.
- Remote Areas: There is a special rule for centres in remote or hard-to-reach areas. If such a centre has fewer than 25 students, it can still conduct the PCP classes at its own location. This helps students in isolated regions.
- CCTV Surveillance: As mentioned, all classes must happen under strict CCTV camera monitoring. This ensures fairness and proper conduct.
PCP Completion Certificate is a Must
After the PCP classes finish, study centres must upload a certificate. This certificate confirms that all eligible HPSOS students have successfully completed their PCP classes. Centres must make sure that all students attend and that these certificates are uploaded on time. This step is important for students to be fully ready for their March 2026 exams.
This initiative by HPBOSE aims to provide better support and learning opportunities for HPSOS students, helping them perform well in their upcoming examinations.
