Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to reduce the syllabus up to 30% for classes 9th to 12th for the academic year 2020-21, as announced by HRD Minister on July 7, 2020. Forllowing which the board has removed important chapters like Federlism, Democratic rights, food security, citizenship and absolutism in schools. With the change in syllabus, CBSE is also going to revise the paper pattern.

The reports suggest that CBSE class 10 syllabus may be reduced by 33% and the same goes for CBSE class 12 syllabus. 

Some of the media reports suggest that CBSE is in conversation with the various stakeholders and also NCERT to rationalize the existing curriculum for secondary and higher secondary classes in view of the existing COVID-19 crisis.

CBSE has considered this fact due to the schools being shut in many regions and the difficulty faced while imparting online education, the curriculum for classes 9-12 needs a change and for classes 1-8, CBSE has already notified schools to make the changes accordingly.

However the new changes have not been revealed, Anurag Tripathi in a webinar with various school principals shared the readiness of the board. The broad outline of the changes made in the syllabus and paper pattern suggests that it's going to be more 'student-centric'.

CBSE Deleted Syllabus

The board has revised the economics and political science subjects from class 9th to 12th , with topics such as Federlism, Democratic rights, food security, citizenship and absolutism beinf completely scrapped from the syllabus of political science in class 11th. Only teo units have been removed from the ‘Local Government’ Chapter. In this “Why do we need Local Governments?’ And ‘Growth of Local Government in India’.

The ‘Security in the Comtemporary World’, ‘Environment and Natural Resources’, ‘Social and New Social Movements in India’ and ‘Regional Aspirations’ chapters have been entirely scrapped from the syllabus of political science in class 12th. The ‘Changing nature of India’s economic development’ and ‘Planning Commission and Five Year plans’ units hae been removed from the ‘Planned Development’ Topic. 

At the same time, the topic ‘India’s Relation with its Neighbours: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Nepal’ has been scrapped from this session from the current chapter on relations with foreign counstries of India.

The ‘Democratic Rights’ and ‘Structure of the Indian Constitution’ chapters have been scrapped from the syllabus of political science in clas 9th. Also, the chapter ‘Food Security in India’ has been removed from the syllabus of Economics of lass 9th itself. 

The syllabus of class 10th students is missing chapters in ‘Democracy and Diversity’, ‘Caste, Religion and Gender’ and ‘Challenges to Democracy’. 

Expected Changes In CBSE New Syllabus 2020-21

The following changes are expected in the revised syllabus to be released by CBSE soon.

  • Maintaining the conceptual learning, the non-essential parts from with the chapters would be reduced
  • The Syllabus is expected to be reduced by 25-33% without removing the complete chapters
  • A blended approach towards the teaching-learning process with online classes being a part of the curriculum is into consideration
  • Guidelines will be released for the parents so as to accept online classes for their students
  • Improvised way of incorporating life-skills would be added in the syllabus
  • The curriculum will be more focused on competency-based learning i.e mental, physical, emotional, and academic. 

Also Read CBSE General Body Meeting: NCERT Working to Reduce Syllabus for 2021 Exams

CBSE Revised Paper Pattern 2020-21 and Evaluation Strategy

Looking into the considerable differences in the classroom and online classes, the board is expected to make the changes in class 10 and class 12 paper patterns, assessment, and evaluation strategy.

CBSE will be including online assessments like small tests, inter-group activities, project-based activities. The board will also share the guidelines for summative assessment along with the revised syllabus.

Schools have also been asked to incorporate 'Digital Labs' and changing school practicals to make it at home. Though there will be no changes in the weightage of practical or internal marks.

The reports also suggest that CBSE may increase the MCQs count in the paper pattern. In the previous years' plan, CBSE had already suggested increasing the MCQ section to cover about 20% of the paper.

Also Read CBSE Class XII Result Date (Out): Check Latest News, Date and Time