CBSE, ISC Class 12 board exams cancelled this year due to Covid situation

The union government on Tuesday announced the cancellation of CBSE Board exams for Class 12 in view of the prevailing coronavirus situation. The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hours after the development, Indian School Certificate (ISC) board exams for Class 12 too have been cancelled. 

"The final decision on compiling results is yet to be taken," Dr G Immanuel, Chairman, Council for the CISCE told news agency ANI.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had on April 14 announced cancellation of class 10 exams and postponement of class 12 exams in view of the surge in coronavirus cases. 

Class 12 results will be made as per a well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner, the government said in an official statement.

The Prime Minister said that the decision on Class 12 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.

PM said that the Covid situation is a dynamic situation across the country. While the numbers are coming down in the country and some states are managing the situation through effective micro-containment, some states have still opted for a lockdown. Students, parents and teachers are naturally worried about the health of the students in such a situation. PM said that students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation.

"Health and safety of our students is of utmost importance and there would be no compromise on this aspect," Modi said, adding that in today’s time, such exams cannot be the reason to put our youth at risk.

Referring to the wide consultative process, PM said the decision has been reached after consulting all stakeholders from across the length and breadth of India. He also thanked the states for providing feedback on this issue.

The meeting was attended by Union Ministers of Home, Defence, Finance, Commerce, Information and Broadcasting, Petroleum and Women and Child Development Ministries and Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary and Secretaries of School Education and Higher Education Departments and other senior officials.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier chaired a crucial meeting which was convened to decide on the Class 12 board exams and subsequent entrance examinations that were postponed due to the second wave of coronavirus. Post the meeting, the government has sought detailed suggestions from states.

Reacting to the decision, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said: "I am glad 12th exams have been cancelled. All of us were very worried about the health of our children. A big relief."

Several states have advocated vaccination for class 12 students in the event of going ahead with board exams, however, experts pointed out the idea was impractical at present.

The CBSE had earlier this month announced the marking policy for class 10 board exams.

According to the policy, while 20 marks for each subject will be for internal assessment as every year, 80 marks will be calculated on basis of the students' performance in various tests or exams throughout the year.