CBSE class 12 exams cancelled, says government

 Government also added that the results will be made as per a well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.

The Class 12 examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have been cancelled, following a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening.

“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,” said the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office issued after the meeting. 

However, in case some students wish to take the exams, such an option would be provided to them by CBSE, as and when the situation becomes conducive, said the statement. The same option was offered last year as well.

Following the meeting, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) also decided to cancel its Class 12 examinations, board secretary Gerry Arathoon told the PTI.

The issue of all India professional entrance tests such as JEE and NEET were not discussed at the meeting, according to officials present.

At the review meeting, attended by senior Cabinet Ministers and Education Ministry officials, a detailed presentation was made on consultations held so far and views received from all stakeholders, including State governments. 

“After extensive consultations, we have taken a decision that is student-friendly, one that safeguards the health as well as future of our youth,” Mr Modi tweeted after the meeting.

Although some State governments, including Delhi and Maharashtra had called for the examinations to be cancelled, most States had favoured holding a truncated version of the exams, with objective type question papers.

According to the PMO statement, Mr. Modi stressed that the health and safety of students is of utmost importance and there would be no compromise on this aspect. He said that in today’s time, such exams cannot be the reason to put youth at risk. He noted that COVID-19 has already affected the academic calendar and the issue of board exams has been causing immense anxiety among students, parents and teachers.

About 14 lakh students had registered to write the examination this year. A large section of students and parents had called for exams to be cancelled, and took their plea to the courts as well. On Monday, the Centre told the Supreme Court it would announce a decision by Thursday.

The examinations, originally scheduled to be held in May, were initially postponed due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Class 10 exams were cancelled.

At the meeting, the PM said that all stakeholders need to show sensitivity for students. He noted that the Covid situation is a dynamic one, with some states still under lockdown. 

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as well as the School and Higher Education Secretaries. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank did not participate as he has been hospitalised for post-COVID complications.