CBSE Board Exams NOT To Be Held Bi-Annually? Board Releases Important Statement

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has refuted claims that it informed the education ministry that conducting board exams twice a year is unfeasible under the current academic schedule. The board distanced itself from statements made in a report by media outlets. CBSE stated that the information is "totally incorrect" and lacks any basis in communications between the board and the ministry.

"This is in reference to the news article covered in Hindustan Times – Delhi edition dated 30/06/2024 titled 'Cannot conduct Board Exams twice a year: CBSE' (Fareeha Iftikhar). Several other news media have reported similar stories. The implication that these views represent CBSE's stance on the matter is denied. It is entirely incorrect and has no foundation in any communication between the Ministry and CBSE," the board said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

According to the Hindustan Times, some board and ministry officials mentioned that CBSE had outlined the current challenges of conducting board exams twice a year for Classes 10 and 12 during a National Curriculum Framework (NCF) program. The report indicated that while preparing for twice-yearly exams requires more than 300 days, the actual conduct of the exams would need 55 days, as stated by CBSE. The board further explained that due to the global spread of CBSE schools, conducting board exams in two shifts is impractical under the present system and policies. However, CBSE has debunked this false claim. 

Earlier in April, the education ministry tasked the central board with developing logistics for holding board exams twice a year starting from the 2025-26 academic session. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had announced that this format would be implemented beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. The National Curriculum Framework, unveiled last year by the education ministry, stipulates that board exams will be held biannually to provide students with ample opportunity to perform well and choose their best scores.