Coronavirus Outbreak: CBSE to conduct Board Exams for only 29 Main Subjects

In view of the current situation of the entire nation, Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has decided that from now on CBSE is advised to conduct board examinations only for 29 core subjects which are important for promotion as well as for university admissions. According to him, the first priority is health safety of students as well as teachers.

In view of the COVID-19, this decision is strictly taken to avoid further problems. In his further statement about the rest of the subjects, ‘CBSE will not be conducting board examinations for the other subjects. In addition to this, instruction on their marking & assessment will be issued soon.

Subject for the Board Exams

CBSE was not able to conduct exams on eight examination days due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation after March 18. Also, due to the law and order in North East Delhi district the board was not able to conduct exams on four examination days, while a very few of the students from and around this district were not able to appear in exams on six examination days. In all, there were 2 Class X exams and 39 papers for Class XII which included 28 language papers which were postponed due to the pandemic situation. Now the board authorities have decided to conduct examinations for only main subjects which include six papers for Class X and 11 papers for Class XII students of North East Delhi district, 12 papers for all India students post the lockdown.

For Classes I to VIII

In short, there will be no further assessment for the student, and the Board Authority has also taken a decision to promote all students from classes I to VIII. This advisory is further being issued in consultation with NCERT.

For Classes IX & XI

Whereas students of classes IX and XI have been notified that many of the schools aligned to CBSE have completed their process of examination, evaluation, and promotion. However, there are other schools that have not been able to do so, for example, Kendriaya Vidhyalyas, Navodaya Vidyalaya, state / UT government schools, several private schools and schools which are all located in India and abroad. All of these schools are advised by the government to promote them to the next class on their school-based assessments, along with all projects, periodic tests, exams, and so on. In addition, if any student who is unable to clear his or her internal process in any of subjects, the responsibility of the school is to use this period to provide remedial interventions and the school can provide the opportunity to take part in a school-based test / online or offline. It is likely that the promotion of such students will be decided on the basis of such tests.

Schedule for Class X & XII Board exams

Now coming on the schedule for Class X and XII student, it is informed that it is difficult for the Board Authorities to take a decision at this stage and to announce a new timetable for the examination. Nevertheless, it is told that any decision made by the board about the conduct of the examination will be made after having a discussion with the higher education authorities and by holding all aspects relevant to the entrance examinations, admission dates, etc. In this case, it is further told that the Board will send all stakeholders notice of approximately 10 days prior to commencing the Board exams.

Here is the notification issued by CBSE:

• The Board will conduct examinations for only main subjects that will be required for promotion and maybe crucial for admissions in higher educational institutions
• For the rest of the subjects, the Board will not hold examinations, the instructions for marking/assessment in all such cases shall be separately issued by the Board
• Therefore, as and when the Board is in a position to hold the examinations, it shall hold examination for the following 29 subjects: