Students to Get Option of Appearing Twice for Board Exams from 2025-26
Raipur, Feb 19 (PTI): In a significant move aimed at reducing academic stress, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that students will be allowed to appear for Class 10 and 12 board examinations twice a year starting from the 2025-26 academic session.
Part of NEP 2020 Vision
The reform aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes student-centric education. As per the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) introduced by the Ministry of Education in August 2023, students can appear for board exams at least twice a year and choose to retain the best score out of the two attempts.
Focus on Student Well-Being
Pradhan emphasized that the reform is aimed at reducing academic pressure and enabling better performance. He also introduced the idea of 10 bagless days in schools every year, where students will participate in art, culture, sports, and skill-based activities. “The goal is to make students stress-free and well-rounded for the future,” he said.
PM SHRI Scheme Launched in Chhattisgarh
The announcement came during the launch of the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) scheme in Raipur, under which 211 schools in Chhattisgarh will be upgraded in the first phase. This includes 193 elementary schools and 18 secondary schools. Each school will receive ₹2 crore and follow a ‘hub and spoke’ model, where a central mentor school supports nearby schools for quality improvements.
Expansion Planned in Next Phase
At the request of Chhattisgarh’s Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Pradhan assured that more secondary and higher secondary schools will be included under the scheme in the next phase.
Olympics 2036: A Vision for Chhattisgarh
Pradhan also mentioned India’s intention to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games and expressed hope that 10% of the country’s medals would come from Chhattisgarh. He called for early preparation and grooming of student athletes from the state.
Leaders Present at the Event
The event was attended by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, School and Higher Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, and other senior officials.
