Punjab CM opposes exclusion of Punjabi from major subjects in CBSE exam

NEW DELHI: Chief minister of Punjab, Charanjit S Channi has opposed the CBSE’s classification of the subjects and called it's decision to keep Punjabi as a minor subject, 'authoritarian' decision of the board. Criticizing the board for inclusion of Punjabi as a minor subject, the chief minister said, the decision of the board is against the federal spirit of the constitution.

The chief minister earlier condemning the CBSE's decision tweeted, “I firmly oppose the CBSE's authoritarian decision to keep Punjabi out of the main subjects. This is against the federal spirit of the Constitution, violating the right of Punjabi youth to learn their native language. I condemn this biased exclusion of Punjabi."

I firmly oppose the CBSE's authoritarian decision to keep Punjabi out of the main subjects. This is against the federal spirit of Constitution, violating the right of Punjabi youth to learn their native language. I condemn this biased exclusion of Punjabi.

— Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) October 21, 2021

The CBSE categorized the subjects into two parts, major and minor from this academic session. The datesheet for the major subjects was released by CBSE on October 18, and the list of minor subjects were sent to the schools directly by the board.

Also Read | CBSE term 1 Class 10, 12 datesheet 2022 announced; Check complete schedule here

Responding to the chief minister of Punjab, the CBSE said, the subjects have been classified purely on administrative grounds, for the purpose of conduct of Term 1 examinations. The board stated that the classification of the subjects into major and minor is purely on the basis of the number of candidates appearing in the subject and does not reflects the importance of subjects as Major or Minor.

Also Read | CBSE to conduct term-1 minor subject exams for 12th, 10th from November 16, 17

Clarifying its decision, the CBSE stated, “It is clarified that the classification of subjects has been done purely on administrative ground for the purpose of conduct of Term – I Examinations based on the number of candidates appearing in the subject and in no way reflects the importance of subjects as Major or Minor.”

The Board said it considers every subject equally important from an academic point of view. “Punjabi is one of the regional languages being offered. The board has categorized all the regional languages under a minor category for the purpose of administrative convenience in relation to the logistics required for the conduct of examinations," said the CBSE.

Also Read | CBSE date sheet 2021-22 released for minor subjects; Term 1 exams to commence from November 16

There are a total of 66 minor subjects in class 10, and 95 in class 12. Regional languages like Pubjabi, Tamang, Bhutia, Japanese, Assamese, Urdu Course- A, Urdu Course-B, Punjabi, Bengali,Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Manipuri are categorized as minor subjects. CBSE will conduct the Minor subject exams from November 17, 2021 for Class 10 and from November 16, 2021 for Class 12. A detailed date sheet for these subjects was provided to schools.

There are a total of 9 major subjects in class 10, and in class 12 there are a total of 19 major subjects. Core subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Economics, History, Chemistry among others are categorized as major subjects.