The National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF 2023) has proposed major changes to the CBSE & state board exams in India, starting from 2024. These include holding board exams twice a year instead of once a year, doing away with the traditional science, commerce, and humanities streams, and specifying how board exams should evolve in the next 10 years, with a focus on making them more competency-based and less focused on rote learning, making the board exams easier from 2024 onwards among others. Read More: CBSE 10th Board Exam 2024
The NCF 2023 aims to make the Indian education system more student-centric and holistic, and these changes to the board exams are a step in that direction. By holding Board Exams twice a year, students will have more opportunities to demonstrate their learning, and by doing away with the traditional streams, students will be free to choose subjects that interest them and that are relevant to their future goals. The focus on competency-based assessment will also help to ensure that students are learning the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.
Various state board exams include the RBSE 10th Board Exam, GSEB 10th Board Exam, GSEB 12th Board Exam, CBSE 12th Board Exam ,etc.
Board Exams Twice a Year: What Does it Mean?
The National Curriculum Framework 2023 proposes that school boards hold board exams twice a year instead of once a year. This will allow students to take the exam twice and retain their best score. The NCF believes that this will reduce the pressure on students and give them a chance to improve their performance.
The NCF recommends that board exams be held twice a year to mitigate the impact of a single day’s underperformance. This would give students the opportunity to improve their scores and demonstrate their knowledge and skills over a longer period of time.
The NCF’s proposal to hold two board exams in a year is a step towards making the assessment process more fair and equitable for all students. It would also reduce the stress and anxiety associated with board exams, and allow students to focus on learning rather than just passing the test.
Other Changes Proposed by NCF 2023
The National Curriculum Framework 2023 has also proposed various other changes that can significantly impact the students and the school education system in India. These include:
Two Compulsory Languages in Classes 11 &12
The updated curriculum framework now requires that all students in Classes 11 and 12 must study a minimum of two languages, with one of them being an Indian language. Currently, students are only able to choose a single language. According to NCF 2023, this revised choice should be promptly implemented, starting from the board exams in 2024.
Science, Arts & Commerce Streams to be Replaced
The NCF has suggested the elimination of inflexible categorization of subjects into traditional streams like science, arts, and commerce. Instead, these streams will be substituted by four distinct “groups” of subjects that students can choose from. The first group pertains to languages, while the second encompasses art education, physical education, and vocational education. Social science and interdisciplinary fields make up the third group, while the fourth group encompasses mathematics and science.
Board Exams Will Become Easier
The NCF 2023 mandates a student-friendly approach for all board examinations, including the upcoming CBSE board exam 2024 and various state board exams like those conducted by the Rajasthan Board, Uttar Pradesh board, and others. The underlying principle of this educational policy is to assess fundamental concepts and skills across different subjects, ensuring a rigorous evaluation of authentic learning without sacrificing quality. The updated curriculum framework emphasizes a departure from memorization-based learning methods.
Board Exams to be Replaced in 10 years
The National Curriculum Framework 2023 proposes that the current system of annual or biannual board exams be replaced by modular exams in 10 years. Modular exams are smaller, more frequent exams that allow students to take exams on a subject soon after it is taught in class. This will help students learn more effectively and reduce the stress of taking large, high-stakes exams.
The NCF 2023 is a major overhaul of the Indian education system, and the changes to the board exams are just one part of it. However, these changes have the potential to make a significant difference in the way students learn and are assessed in India.
