The Ministry of Education in India has set its sights on conducting board exams for Class 10 and 12 students twice a year, starting from the academic session 2025-26. This decision comes after consultations on the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

The key takeaway here is that this will not involve a semester system. The idea being explored is to hold two board exams at the end of each academic year, offering students more opportunities to perform well. However, the specifics of this plan are still under development.

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the logistical challenges involved in conducting exams twice a year. To address these, they have asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to work out the modalities. This includes consultations with school principals affiliated with CBSE, which are scheduled for May 2024.

The reported benefits of this new system include:

More chances to excel: Students will have two opportunities to take their board exams, potentially reducing pressure and allowing them to perform better.

Improved performance: The additional exam could encourage students to focus on consistent learning throughout the year, rather than cramming just before the final exams.

This decision is likely to impact a large number of students as the CBSE affiliates over 28,000 schools across India. With consultations underway, we can expect more details on the format and implementation of the biannual board exams in the coming months.