CBSE will rope in external agency for skill, vocational subject exams

NEW DELHI: An external, independent agency with expertise in vocational education and industry standards will be conducting the assessment of skill and vocational subjects under the Central Board of Secondary Education. The CBSE’s governing body has approved the changes.

The change is for students in Class 6 to Class 10 in which vocational education is a compulsory subject.

The CBSE board will also revise and rationalise the curriculum for vocational/skill subjects, implementing the changes from the 2026-27 academic session.

In 2024-25, as many as 17,13,213 Class 10 students of 23,752 schools and 2,56,417 Class 12 students of 8,570 schools were enrolled in skill subjects.

This is part of a host of reforms including a new re-evaluation process, split Class 10 questions papers and a two-tier system in Class 9 .

CBSE: External agency for assessment

Assessment for skill subjects will be through a combination of formative and summative evaluations, which could include project-based assessments, practical exams, and skills demonstrations.

“However, given the technical nature of skill (vocational) education and the need for unbiased, standardised evaluation, it is strongly recommended that the assessment process be conducted preferably by an external, independent agency with expertise in vocational education and industry standards,” states the board.

The proposed structure of assessment will include the following:

• Skill demonstrations and practical examinations;

• Project-based assessments;

• Theoretical examinations

• Internships or workplace assessments

• Certification

According to the board, the incorporation of an external agency would “ensure objectivity and fairness, alignment with industry standards,quality assurance across schools, enhancing credibility and recognition of skill (vocational} education, accountability and transparency and real-time feedback and skill development”.

The board estimates this will cost it approximately Rs 80 lakh.

Revision of skill curriculum

The National Curriculum Framework-School Education (NCF-SE) requires that students develop basic skills across three forms of work -- with life forms, with machines and materials, and in human services.

“Students will be introduced to nine vocations (one from each form of work, every year) across three years. In Classes 9 and 10, students will expand upon this foundation by studying six vocations (two from each form of work) over two years. These vocations will align with NSQF Levels, ensuring relevance and consistency with industry standards. The curriculum will focus on developing practical, hands-on skills, with students gaining direct experience in using the tools and techniques specific to each vocation,” states the board.

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The board will also revise the curriculum for skill modules and subjects. There would be curriculum rationalisation, textbook updates and NSQF equivalency, among other changes.

Currently, the board offers 34 skill modules, each of 15 hours duration, available from Class 6 onwards. In addition, 22 skill subjects are offered in Classes 9-10.

As per the CBSE board, close to 3,92,158 completed at least one skill module in 10,082 schools.

Earlier, CBSE had instructed schools to develop composite skill labs that are equipped to teach the curricula of subjects offered under different forms of work.