Class 10 and Class 12 exams to be held from July 1 in schools across India have been cancelled, education board CBSE informed the Supreme Court today. Students will be graded on the basis of their last three tests or given an option to appear for exams when the situation is conducive, the board said. Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have conveyed their inability to conduct examinations in the coronavirus crisis, the court was told.
The Supreme Court asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) when it would declare the results of the internal assessment and conduct the exams later for those who opt in. It also asked for clarity on exams organised by state education boards.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBSE, told the Supreme Court that the option would be given to Class 12 students to appear for exams later. The tests will be held when conditions are conducive, he said. The board told the Supreme Court that it has come up with an evaluation scheme where Class 12 students will be assessed on the basis of their last three exams.
Class 10 exams, which were to be held only for students in parts of Delhi hit by riots in February, are cancelled, the CBSE said.
Class 10 and 12 exams for schools under CISCE or Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations have also been cancelled and students will be graded on internal assessments.
Seeking a clarification on the new academic year, the Supreme Court said that it can start in September only if board results are announced in August. The CBSE said that students can apply for internal assessment and results will be announced soon. The board also said that academic year will be shifted for the 2020-21 session.
Parents of students, who had filed the petition, told the Supreme Court that several entrance exams are also pending and sought an intervention. However, the top court refused to deal with the issue at this stage.
Asking about the exams conducted by state boards, the Supreme Court told the central government to come up with a time-frame for a conclusive decision.
The Supreme Court said it will take up the case again tomorrow asked the CBSE to file a revised draft of its order.
