UP Board Makes Vocational Education Mandatory for Classes 9, 11 from 2026

• The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board) will make vocational education mandatory for Classes 9 and 11 starting from the academic session 2026.
• The initiative aims to link school education with employability, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) objectives.
• Curricula for trades like IT, electronics, apparel, beauty, and wellness have been approved, focusing on current technological requirements and industry expectations.
• The new courses emphasize practical, skill-based, and job-oriented content to enhance students' employability and self-reliance.
• UPMSP exams for 2026 will run from February 18 to March 12, with 5.23 million candidates registered this year.

Why It Matters: UP Board mandates vocational education for Classes 9 and 11 from 2026 to boost student employability.