ICSE board exams postponed in view of coronavirus outbreak

In a last minute-decision, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) postponed class 10 and 12 examinations, which were to start from Thursday, in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

With the class 12 sociology exam scheduled to be held at 2 pm, the announcement was made at 10 am.

The HRD Ministry had on Wednesday ordered the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to postpone their exams till March 31, saying the safety of students and staff were as important as following the exam calendar.

The CISCE had on Wednesday said that it has not received any directive from the government and the exams would be held according to schedule.

However in an official order on Thursday morning, CISCE Chief Executive Gerry Arathoon said, "In view of coronavirus spreading across the country and with such uncertainty and speculation in air, the Council, in the interest of health wellbeing of student and staff, has decided to postpone ICSE and ISC examinations to be conducted between March 19 and March 31."