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Board Exams

In India, board examinations mark significant milestones in a student’s academic journey, occurring at the end of secondary and senior secondary education.

For the 10th Grade, students face public exams conducted by the state boards (SSC/SSLC), the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE, All India Secondary School Examination), and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE). These exams hold substantial importance as they pave the way for senior secondary education. Upon successful completion, students can specialize in one of the streams—science, commerce, or arts (humanities)—for their further studies.

For the 12th Grade, the board exams are equally critical and are administered by the state boards (HSC), CBSE (AISSCE), and ICSE (ISC). The marks obtained in these exams are crucial, often determining entry into prestigious institutions and professional courses such as AIIMS, NIT, IIT, IIIT, and IIM. Admissions to these institutions typically require high scores in competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CLAT, CUET, along with various university-specific entrance tests.

With the advent of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a significant change is on the horizon. Starting from the academic year 2024–25, board exams will be held twice a year, offering students more flexibility. This ‘multiple board’ format was first introduced in the academic year 2021–22, providing a glimpse of what’s to come.

This new approach aims to alleviate the pressure on students, offering them multiple opportunities to succeed in their academic pursuits.

State Board Examinations in India

Known by various names such as Madhyamik, Secondary State Certificate (SSC), and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, the state board exams in India are pivotal in the academic calendar. Each state’s education board manages its exams, so they don’t occur simultaneously across the country due to different syllabi and schedules. These exams usually take place between February and March, with results announced around April and May.

Application Process: In November, students must apply for these exams, providing personal details, subjects, and current educational status. Exam datesheets are issued 40-60 days before exams start, and admit cards are distributed 20-25 days before the commencement of the exams.

Examination Format: Class 10th students are tested in five core subjects: English, Hindi/other regional languages, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (state language is mandatory if it’s a state board). Additionally, there’s an option for a sixth elective subject like Computer Science, Information Technology, Music, Fine Arts, Physical Education, or Foreign Languages.

For Class 12th, students select one of three streams:

Science: Focuses on natural sciences and mathematics. Core subjects include English, Physics, Chemistry, and either Biology, Mathematics, or both. Vocational options include Computer Science, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, and more.

Commerce: Geared towards business, management, administration, trade, and banking. Core subjects include English, Accountancy, Economics, and Business Studies. Vocational subjects like Marketing, Retail, Taxation, Banking, Entrepreneurship, and more are available.

Humanities: Concentrates on social sciences and liberal arts. Core subjects can include English, History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics. Vocational options might feature Mass Media, Fashion Studies, Legal Studies, Psychology, Tourism, Fine Arts, Sociology, and more.

Additional Subjects: Schools may offer Hindi (compulsory in some, optional in others). Other subjects available across all streams include Business Administration, Economics, Music, Fine Arts, Physical Education, National Cadet Corps, Geography, and various technologies.

Exam Format: The exams are conducted strictly in pen-and-paper format.

This structured approach allows students to delve deep into their chosen fields, preparing them for future academic and career endeavors.

CBSE Exam

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations are meticulously coordinated across India to maintain uniformity and prevent question paper leaks across time zones. This national synchronization ensures that every student faces the same questions, regardless of their location.

2025 Exam Schedule:

Class 10: Held from 15 February to 18 March.
Class 12: Spanned from 15 February to 4 April. The usual exam start time is 10:30 am, with varying end times based on exam length—either 12:30 pm for shorter exams (40-50 marks) or 1:30 pm for longer ones (70-80 marks).

Security Measures: CBSE goes to great lengths to secure exam integrity:

Question papers are distributed by the overseeing board and remain confidential until the exam begins.
Exams may feature multiple sets of question papers to further mitigate leaks.
Students are assigned to different examination centers (not their own schools) to ensure impartiality.
Identification passes are issued and checked at the examination site.
Calculation aids, apart from provided logarithm tables, are prohibited.
Delhi High Court directed adherence to a moderation policy in May 2017, impacting result timelines.

Answer Sheet Evaluation:

Answer sheets are sent to CBSE’s eighteen regional offices for grading. Foreign papers are processed at the Delhi East Regional office.
Plans are underway to establish a new regional office in Dubai to serve NRIs and Indian residents in the UAE.
Answer sheets are anonymized with false roll numbers to prevent bias during evaluation.

Results and Re-Evaluation:

Students receive official grade reports and certificates upon completion.
While they do not get graded answer sheets by default, they can request copies for a fee and also opt for re-evaluation.
Results can be accessed online or in person, though the CBSE website often experiences high traffic on release day.

Recent Developments:

The 2023-24 batch results for Class 10 and 12 were declared on 13 May 2024.

This comprehensive and secure examination process is designed to uphold the highest standards of fairness and academic integrity, ensuring every student has a fair chance to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

The origins of the CISCE trace back to 1958, founded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The aim was to tailor its examinations to meet India’s educational landscape, eventually placing ultimate oversight in the hands of the Council. By December 19, 1967, the CISCE was officially registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.

Purpose and Mission: The CISCE is dedicated to purely educational goals, with a mission to promote various fields such as science, literature, and fine arts. It aims to disseminate useful knowledge by conducting school examinations primarily in English. Unlike many organizations, the CISCE operates without any profit motive, solely focusing on enriching India’s educational framework.

The Council has since become a cornerstone of the Indian education system, known for its high standards and rigorous examinations. Through its efforts, the CISCE ensures that students receive a quality education that prepares them for the future.

List Boards in India

There are numerous state boards across India, each responsible for conducting examinations and providing secondary and higher secondary education within their respective states. Here’s a table with some of the major state boards: