India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisages biannual board exams to provide students with ample opportunities to excel academically.
According to the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) announced by the Ministry of Education in August last year, board examinations will be held at least twice a year to ensure students have enough time and opportunity to perform well. They will also get the option to retain the best score.
Pradhan’s view on CBSE Exams
In 2021, the CBSE introduced a two-term system during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Meanwhile, in October 2023, in an interview with the news agency PTI, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that appearing for class 10 and 12 board exams twice a year will not be mandatory for students and the option is being introduced to reduce stress caused by the fear of single opportunity.
Furthermore, Pradhan said the issue of ‘dummy schools’ cannot be ignored and the time has come to have a serious discussion about it.
PM Shree Schools Upgradation
Highlighting the concept of introducing 10 bagless days in school every year, Pradhan stressed on engaging students with art, culture and sports, among other activities.
Pradhan was speaking after launching the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) scheme in Chhattisgarh under which 211 schools of the state will be upgraded.
Pradhan asked Students about this Upgradation
The function was held at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay auditorium in Raipur. Highlighting the Centre’s plan under the NEP 2020, Pradhan said from the 2025-26 academic session, students will get an opportunity to appear for 10th and 12th class board exams twice.
Asking students present at the function if they were happy with the decision, the Union minister told them to keep the best marks obtained after appearing in both exams.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s vision through the NEP is to keep students stress-free, enrich them with quality education, keep students linked with culture and prepare them for the future. This is the formula for making India a developed country by 2047,” he added.
Pradhan Slammed Congress for this step
Pradhan slammed the previous Congress government in the state, saying education was not its priority, but the key sector has received utmost importance after the BJP came to power and new Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai assumed office in December last year.
In the first phase of the PM SHRI scheme, 211 schools (193 elementary level and 18 secondary ones) will be upgraded in Chhattisgarh on a ‘hub and spoke’ model by spending Rs 2 crore on each, the Union minister said.
Big Question Arises
But are schools prepared to conduct board examinations twice a year? Or are there any advantages and disadvantages to conducting board examinations twice a year? Let’s hear from experts:-
Speaking on this, Anil Ahlawat, CEO of MTG Learning Media, “The decision to conduct board exams twice a year by the CBSE is a significant development for students. From an academic publisher’s background, I think this will provide students with an additional opportunity to ensure they give their best in the board exams. This format will also help to reduce the stress and pressure that students often face during the traditional annual board exams.”
This decision will reduce the pressure on students and provide them with an additional opportunity to perform better just like JEE Main exams. To reduce stress further they have the choice to opt out of the second exam and focus on competitive exams, he further added.