Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced a new policy allowing class 10th and 12th students the option to appear in board examinations twice starting from the 2025-26 academic session. This announcement was made during the launch of the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) scheme in Chhattisgarh, where 211 schools are set to be upgraded.
Speaking at the event held at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur, Minister Pradhan emphasised that this change aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) unveiled in 2020, aimed at reducing academic stress among students. The policy allows students to choose the better score from the two attempts for their final record, providing a significant cushion against the pressure of performing well in a single examination.
The introduction of this policy follows the New Curriculum Framework (NCF), announced by the Ministry of Education in August 2023, which supports the NEP’s objective to make education more flexible and student-friendly. The move is expected to give students ample time to prepare and excel in their board exams, thereby enhancing their academic performance and reducing stress levels.
Minister Pradhan also highlighted the introduction of 10 bag-less days in schools every year, encouraging engagement with art, culture, and sports, to ensure a well-rounded education. Addressing the students present, he shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision through the NEP: to provide a stress-free learning environment, enrich students with quality education, keep them connected with their culture, and prepare them for future challenges. This, Pradhan noted, is the foundation for transforming India into a developed country by 2047.
The announcement has been welcomed by educators, students, and parents alike, who see it as a progressive step towards reforming the Indian education system to better meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century.
