CBSE) will conduct the first exams in the latest format from 2025, except for the one instance in 2021 when the exam was split into two due to Covid-19.
The new system of twice-a-year board exams for Class X and XII will not be compulsory, according to the official as quoted by TOI.
“The system aims to reduce stress on students who fear missing out on a single opportunity. If a candidate is prepared and is satisfied with the score in one set of exams, he can choose not to appear for the next exam,” he said.
In 2023, a total of 38.82 lakh candidates appeared for Class X (21.86 lakh) and XII (16.96 lakh) CBSE boards.
According to TOI sources at the Ministry of Education, the first set of 2025 boards is likely to be held in November-December 2024, while the second one will take place in February-March 2025. The final results and merit list will be based on the best scores from the two exams.
In an interview with TOI in October 2023, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had stated that the twice-a-year board format will be implemented from the 2024-25 academic year.
«Which means this will be adopted from the 2025 board exams for Class X and XII. This will be effective from the present Class IX and XI students,” he then said.
Notably, In August 2023, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF) which is developed on the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 was announced by the Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan and he made the announcement for multiple exams format.
For Board papers, test developers and evaluators will have to go through university-certified courses before taking up this task, MoE's NCF had said.
(With inputs from TOI)