CBSE Board Exam 2021 has been cancelled for Class 10th while the 12th exam will be held on a later date, as per updates from the meeting helmed by PM Modi, held today. PM Modi called a meeting with Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on April 14, 2021, at 12 PM to discuss CBSE Board Exam 2021, amid demands to cancel board exams due to the COVID-19 surge.

As quoted by sources of the Government of India, along with Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ several other important officials attended the meeting. India is observing the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, with the country reporting 1,84,372 new COVID-19 cases. It is the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke in 2020. However, CBSE Class 10th and 12th Board Exams are slated to begin from May 4, 2021. Class 10 exam will end by June 7 and Class 12 exams on June 11, 2021. 

CBSE Board Exam 2021: Updates from PM Modi’s Meet 

As per the decision made at the meeting, CBSE Class 10th exam has been cancelled while CBSE Class 12th Board Exams stand postponed.  On June 1, 2021, the Board will review the situation following which all the details will be shared. CBSE will provide for at least 15 days of notice before commencing Class 12 exams. 

The official statement reads, “The situation will be reviewed on 1st June 2021 by the Board, and details will be shared subsequently. A notice of at least 15 days will be given before the start of the examinations.”

Results of CBSE Class 10th Board will be prepared based on a criterion developed by the Board. However, candidates who would be unsatisfied with marks drawn will be given an opportunity to sit for exams. CBSE Class 10 exam dates for such exams will be announced when situation turns conducive. 

Calls to Cancel CBSE Board Exam 2021

On Tuesday, NCR registered more than 13,500 cases in the shortest span of 24 hours. In view of this, the Chief Minister of Delhi appealed to the Union Government to postpone exams or seek alternative methods. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has suggested online exams and other assessment policies for the students. He also pointed out, about 6 lakh students will take CBSE Board exams from the city only. About 1 lakh teachers are appointed for exam duty. These figures solely connote the reason for another outbreak. 

Also recently, on April 11, Delhi Govt postponed practical exams till April 20, on account of the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the National Capital. For now, all in-person academic activities in schools have been barred in Delhi. 

Earlier, a parent’s body had written to PM Modi so that students are assessed internally instead of physically attending examination centres. India Wide Parents Association also pointed out that students and teachers are yet not vaccinated, hence chances of infection still remains. 

CBSE Board Exam 2021 Amid India’s Second COVID Wave

On April 8, 2021, the board clarified on holding offline CBSE Board Exam 2021, after students submitted a plea to cancel exams. The petition was signed by more than 1 lakh students across the country while many others took to Twitter to voice their concerns. 

In response to this, CBSE officials made a statement that assured students of their safety even in the rising toll of COVID cases. The statement read as “Adequate arrangements are being made to ensure the students are safe and all COVID protocols are followed. The number of exam centres has been increased by 40-50 per cent to ensure social distancing. The staff at exam centres is being sensitized to ensure all guidelines are followed.”

Also Read: