Board exams twice a year; students can retain best score: NCF 2023

NEW DELHI: Now, board exams will be conducted twice a year and students will have the option to retain the best score, according to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 developed by the Ministry of Education, PTI reported. The curriculum also made it mandatory for Class 11, 12 students to study two languages including one Indian language.

“Board exams will be offered at least twice a year to ensure students have enough time and opportunity to perform well. Students can then appear for a board exam in subjects they have completed and feel ready for. They will also be allowed to retain the best score,” said the final NCF document accessed by PTI.

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The education ministry officials told PTI that the curriculum is ready as per the National Education Policy (NEP) and textbooks will be developed on the basis of the new curriculum for the next academic session.

“In classes 11 and 12, students will have to study two languages and one of them has to be an Indian language,” the NCF 2023 document added.

Class 11, 12 students will get the flexibility to choose streams other than arts, science and commerce. “In due course of time, school boards are to develop capacities to offer ‘on demand’ exams in due course of time. Besides board exam test developers and evaluators will have to go through university-certified courses before taking up this work,” the curriculum framework further said.

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NCF 2023 also stressed on reducing the cost of textbooks and said that the current practice of ‘covering’ textbooks in classroom will be avoided.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the first joint workshop of the NCF oversight committee and the national syllabus and teaching-learning material committee today.

(with inputs from PTI)