CBSE Board has big news for Class 10 students. The board has stated that students will no longer fail in the Board examination. According to the new rule of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), if a student fails in any one of the three elective subjects – Mathematics, Science and Social Science, the marks of that failed subject will be replaced by the marks of ‘Skill Subject (offered as a 6th additional subject). Only after adding all the pass marks (based on the calculation of the five best subjects) will the percentage of Class 10 be calculated.

All teachers, parents, and student bodies have welcomed this decision by CBSE. This decision is the result of the interaction between Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and the CBSE Board, which took place on Thursday, 28th January 2021.

Pokhriyal also stated, “The report card will not only put the merit-based performance of students to light but also provide them with valuable feedback regarding the gained cognitive, social, emotional and practical skills. CBSE Board will only focus on capacity building and standardized criteria with a global benchmark.”

Initially, only 20% of the total marks were allotted to skill-based subjects. However, as per this new rule, this percentage has gone up to 30%. Besides this, this new rule is in line with the Skill India initiative. 

An official of the CBSE Board stated, “We came to a conclusive decision of creating this rule considering the Indian Government’s Skill India initiative. Students may acquire the marks, but they lack the skills to use that knowledge and put it to proper use. We hope that this will prove to be highly beneficial to the students.”

Many students used to fail in the board exam being weak in one subject. Besides this, the wastage of one year of education used to negatively impact the morale of the students. This new trend from CBSE will avoid spoiling the years of skilled children. Also, it is believed to encourage students to move towards skill development, even if they are not particularly good in theory. 

Meanwhile, CBSE will announce the examination schedule for classes 10 and 12 on 2nd February 2021. The CBSE Board’s Class 10 and 12 exams will be conducted from 4th May to 10th June 2021. Practical examinations will commence from 1st March 2021, and the CBSE Board will declare the result by 15th July 2021.