The Covid-19 pandemic’s second wave may have started with a jump in infections but the Maharashtra government made it clear that the 10th and 12th board examinations in the state would be in offline mode.
However, the students would get an additional 30 minutes of the three-hour time that they get to write the exam. This is because, during one year of lockdown, the studies/classes were online and students have lost the habit of writing fast.
Besides, the government also denied news reports that the passing percentage would be 25%. “There were no such discussions…the passing percentage would be 35% as usual,” School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad told reporters in Mumbai.
Theory exams of the Class 12/HSC board are scheduled to be conducted from April 23 to May 21, 2021 while, Class 10 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) board theory examinations will be conducted from April 29 to May 20, 2021. The examination will be conducted in the students' respective schools.
Practical examinations for Class 10 will not be conducted, while Class 12 practicals will be held once the written tests are over. The ministry has decided to conduct the practical exam for the HSC/Class 12 students because practicals in HSC are crucial for further professional courses.