Delhi HC issues notice to CBSE, NCERT, Centre over a plea seeking calculator use in Class 12 board exams

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and the central government regarding a petition to allow Class 12 students to use calculators in Accountancy and Maths board exams, the Bar and Bench reported.

The court has also asked the CBSE, NCERT and the center to respond to the plea seeking use of calculators in Class 12 board exams within six weeks, the report read.

According to the petition, filed by over 10 parents, argued that the students appearing for subjects such as Mathematics and Accountancy were forced to spend considerable exam time performing lengthy calculations manually, leaving them with less time to demonstrate their conceptual understanding, the report added.

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Petitions cite NEP 2020 for calculator use in board exams

“CBSE's own Curriculum Committee had approved the use of basic calculators in Class XII Accountancy examinations during its 70th meeting held on November 25 and 26, 2024. The recommendation was subsequently placed before the Board's Governing Body in December 2024 but has not been implemented, the plea states,” the report said.

The petitioners have also argued that allowing calculators in Class 12 board exams would be consistent with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, the NDTV reported.

They have also submitted a detailed representation to CBSE and other concerned authorities, requesting them to consider the proposal, the report added.

However, no response was received within the stipulated period, prompting them to approach the Delhi High Court, it said.

The decision on whether students will be allowed to use calculators in Accountancy and Mathematics examinations will depend on the further proceedings and the authorities’ responses, it added.