Students can choose to take Board exams once or twice a year

Appearing for Class 10 and 12 board examinations twice a year will not be mandatory and the concept is being introduced as an option to reduce students' stress caused by the fear of having only opportunity, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said.

According to the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) announced by the Ministry of Education in August, board examinations will be held at least twice a year to ensure that students have enough time and opportunity to perform well. 

They will also get the option to retain the best score.

Mr. Pradhan, who is also the Union Skill Development Minister, said he has received positive feedback from students on the plan to conduct board exams twice a year.

However, this is not the first attempt at reforming board exams. 

The Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)was introduced for Class 10 in 2009 but was revoked in 2017 and the board reverted to the old model of year-end exams.

The board exams for Classes 10 and 12 were also split into two terms during the Covid-19 pandemic as a one-time measure, but the old format of year-end exam resumed this year.