CBSE, CISCE Class 12 Board examinations cancelled due to Covid-19

The Class 12 results will be made as per a well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner

The CBSE and CISCE Class 12 examinations have been cancelled owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, ending weeks of uncertainty that had students and parents on the edge.

The decision to cancel the CBSE Class 12 examinations was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, virtually reversing the “broad consensus” on conducting the examinations arrived at on May 23.

Separately, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) also announced cancellation of the Indian School Certificate (ISC) Class 12 examinations.

The Prime Minister directed officials to ensure that the results are prepared in accordance with well-defined criteria, in a fair and time-bound manner.

The alternative assessment criteria has not been finalised by the CBSE yet, but it was expected to be on similar lines as announced for Class 10 by taking into account the performance of a student in internal exams through the year.

“In view of the uncertain conditions due to Covid and the feedback obtained from various stakeholders, it was decided that Class XII Board Exams would not be held this year,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“Anxieties among students, parents, teachers must be put to an end,” the prime minister said.

Modi pointed out that while Covid-19 figures were on the decline and some states were managing the crisis well through an effective micro-containment strategy, other states have opted for lockdown.

“Students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation,” the Prime Minister said, noting that the Covid-19 situation was dynamic across the country.

However, if some students desire to take the exams, such an option would be provided to them by CBSE, as and when the situation becomes conducive.

As the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic raged across the country a large section of students and political parties had campaigned for cancellation of the examination.

At Tuesday’s meeting, officials made a detailed presentation on the wide and extensive consultation held so far and views received from all stakeholders, including state governments.

Education Minister Ramesh Pohkriyal Nishank could not attend the meeting as he was admitted to AIIMS on Tuesday morning due to post-Covid-19 complications.

The prime minister stressed that the health and safety of the students were of utmost importance and there would be no compromise on this aspect. He said that in the present situation, such exams cannot be the reason to put our youth at risk.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Women & Child Development Minister Smriti Irani among others.