As the TOI first reported in October 2020, the Board’s examinations were delayed nearly 80 days this year in light of the pandemic situation. The exams are generally taken in January (practicals) and the theoretical exams start each year in February (professional subjects) and end in March.
In view of the COVID-19 situation and the disruption of regular classes, the CBSE, after multiple consultations with stakeholders, decided to reduce the study program by 30% and postpone exams until May to mitigate academic loss. .
The Board is also working on a solution to take the exams in more than 25 countries where CBSE has a presence.
“This is a prudent government decision given that students are under tremendous pressure due to the disruption of academic activities. Delayed exams and streamlining the syllabus will help students, ”said Swati Jain, editor of Oswal Books.
With no clarity on board exam dates so far, several schools have already conducted pre-board exams online to keep students prepared.
The CBSE had announced earlier this month that the board’s exams in 2021 will be conducted in written mode and not online.
Schools across the country were closed in March to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were partially reopened in some states as of October 15.
However, some states have decided to keep them closed in light of an increase in the number of infections.
The board exams had to be postponed to mid-March. They were later canceled and the results announced on the basis of an alternative evaluation plan.
The Ministry of Education had also announced that the JEE-Mains for admission to engineering universities will be held four times a year starting in 2021 to offer flexibility to students and the opportunity to improve their scores.
The first edition of the Joint Entrance Examination-Mains (JEE-Mains) will take place February 23-26, followed by rounds in March, April and May.
However, the delay in board examinations may affect the completion of the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, which is usually done in May. There is still no official communication about it.
“We appreciate CBSE’s strategic planning regarding the completion of the CBSE 2021 Board Exams. Starting the first week of May, students and teachers will have plenty of time to better prepare. Our sincere congratulations to Sh Pokhriyal Ji for such a balanced decision, ”said Bharat Arora, general secretary of the Action Committee of the Unaided Private School.
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