Lakhs of students will take the CBSE class X and XII examinations from today at over 5,300 centres across the country. Close to 9.02 lakh candidates will be appearing in CBSE class X examination under the new grading system while more than 6.99 lakh candidates will take their class XII examination.

It is that time of the year when students across the country undergo a nerve wracking time preparing for the 10th board exams, but those appearing this year have many firsts to deal with.

All of us have burnt the midnight oil for class X board exams, however, for Radhika Malik's batch it's different.

For the first time in India, CBSE is going to grade students. The age-old percentage system is out.

Radhika Malik, CBSE Candidate, says, "I think this is better, there is less pressure. Ya probably the ninety percenters may have a problem with the grading system, but for us seventy-eighty percenters I think it is great to be in the same category."

Usha Ram, Principal, Laxman Public School says,"Grade system is great. Students can fall in the same level. So depression can be avoided among students who fail. Students will get two chances if they get below a certain grade."

This is a transitional phase, but most of the candidates are positive about the grading system and hope that examiners will be lenient while using this marking system for the first time.

Over 9 lakh candidates will appear for the exams starting Wednesday, the number 9% higher than last year.

Students will get multiple chances to attempt a paper they have fared poorly in.

Another first for this year's board exams is that question papers in Braille will be printed for blind students.

This board exam is being seen as a beginning, in a larger attempt to revamp our high-pressure education system.

Students like Radhika Malik are beneficiaries of this important shift.