NEW DELHI, Feb 26: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed two board examinations in a year for students of Class 10 providing an opportunity to the willing candidates to appear in the second board examinations in as many subjects as the students desired from the current academic year.
The CBSE chairperson Rahul Singh said on Wednesday that it was the most salient feature of draft proposal of conducting board examinations under the New Education Policy, 2020 while continuing the current scheme of examinations. “This is aimed to provide another opportunity to students to improve their performance,” Mr Singh said.
The draft policy for the conduct of two Board examinations in Class 10 has been issued by the CBSE as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy-2020. While the first phase of the exam is slated to be held from February 17 to March 6, the second phase will be scheduled from May 5 to May 20.
Mr Singh’s response comes after Punjab’s Education Minister Harjot Bain raised concern that Punjabi language had not been included in the draft policy. CBSE officials clarified that there was no change in subjects offered by CBSE, and the list of languages published in the draft policy were indicative.
“Presently, the Board offers 16 academic subjects, 23 skill subjects and 45 languages in Classes 9 and 10. Students may offer any two languages and three elective subjects from the list of academic subjects. In addition, students can also offer any skill subject as the sixth subject and one more language as the seventh subject. Accordingly, a student can offer a maximum of seven subjects in Class 10,” he further said.
“This scheme of subjects and the choices shall remain unchanged for the 2026 Board examinations as well. Thus, the same set of academic subjects, languages, and skill subjects shall continue for the 2026 Board examinations,” Mr Singh added. The candidates with special needs will also continue to avail of the same facilities as extended presently. Similarly, any relaxation extended to any institution presently shall continue, CBSE has further clarified.
“With the feedback received from stakeholders and the public, the scheme shall be further refined. Accordingly, all interested stakeholders are encouraged to furnish their feedback on the CBSE website within the schedule specified therein,” Mr Singh said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
