CBSE, ICSE cancel Class XII board exams

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 1

The Central Board of Secondary Education and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) both cancelled Class XII board examinations on Tuesday, officials said in the evening — a development that comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an important meeting in this regard earlier in the day.

Officials said that over the next few days, the CBSE and the Union Education Ministry will iron out details of how marks and results are to be decided. 

Read also: Haryana state board cancels Class 12 exams

The CISCE followed suit, announcing that it had cancelled its Class XII exams in view of the pandemic. 

"The exams have been cancelled. The alternative assessment criteria will be announced soon," its secretary Gerry Arathoon said. 

(Read the circular here)

“Health and safety of students are important. In today’s time, such exams cannot be the reason to put our youth at risk,” the Prime Minister is believed to have said at the meeting attended by the top ministers of his government, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Officials gave a detailed presentation on the wide and extensive consultation held so far and views received from all stakeholders, including state governments, sources said.

In view of the uncertain conditions due to Covid and the feedback obtained from various stakeholders, it was decided that Class XII board exams would not be held this year. It was also decided that CBSE will take steps to compile the results of Class XII students as per a well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.

The Prime Minister said that the decision on Class XII CBSE Exams has been taken in the interest of students. He stated that Covid-19 has affected the academic calendar and the issue of Board exams has been causing immense anxiety among students, parents and teachers, which must be put to an end.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs an important meeting regarding Class XII Board Examinations pic.twitter.com/B4uVmqoPkQ

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2021

The CBSE had, on April 14, announced cancellation of Class X exams and postponement of Class XII exams in view of the surge in coronavirus cases.

The Ministry of Education had recently sought detailed suggestions from the states and union territories over the proposals discussed in a high-level meeting held on the issue.

The government also told the Supreme Court, which is hearing a plea seeking the exam's cancellation, that it would take a final decision by June 3.

 "I am glad Class XII exams have been cancelled. All of us were very worried abt the health of our children," tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the decision was announced.

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