CBSE Class 12 Board Exams Cancelled, PM Says Students' Safety Most Important

New Delhi- 1 June 2021: There will be no exams this year for CBSE Class 12 students, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, saying the decision was taken in the interest of students. The move comes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Health and safety of our students is of utmost importance and there would be no compromise on this aspect," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. "Anxiety among students, parents and teachers, which must be put to an end...Students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation. All stakeholders need to show sensitivity for students," it said.  

Government of India has decided to cancel the Class XII CBSE Board Exams. After extensive consultations, we have taken a decision that is student-friendly, one that safeguards the health as well as future of our youth. https://t.co/vzl6ahY1O2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 1, 2021

The Prime Minister's decision came at the end of a key meeting held today on the matter. The meeting was attended by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Chairman Manoj Ahuja, besides other officials. CBSE will now take steps to compile the results of Class 12 students according to per well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner, the PMO release said. Like last year, in case some students desire to take the exams, such an option would be provided to them as and when the situation becomes conducive. The decision to do away with the exam this year comes two days ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the matter, during which the Centre is expected to file its reply on a plea seeking exactly this. The court had, on May 31, adjourned the hearing to June 3 after the Centre sought time to take a decision.