The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced several significant changes for the 2025 board exams for classes 10 and 12, aiming to reduce academic pressure on students and create a more student-friendly evaluation system. These changes, announced by Vikas Kumar Agrawal, CBSE’s Regional Officer in Bhopal, during the ‘Bridging the Gap’ Principals Summit in Indore, include syllabus reductions, a revamped evaluation structure, and the introduction of open-book exams for select subjects.
Syllabus Reduction for Classes 10 and 12
To ease the academic load on students, CBSE has decided to reduce the syllabus by 10 to 15 per cent for the 2025 academic year. This reduction is intended to help students focus on essential concepts and allow them more time to understand the material, rather than relying solely on rote learning. By streamlining the syllabus, CBSE aims to create a learning environment that promotes deeper comprehension of subjects rather than superficial memorization.
The reduction of the syllabus is expected to give students more time to focus on core topics, improving their overall understanding of the subjects. This change has been welcomed by educators and parents alike, as it aims to reduce stress and pressure, providing students with the opportunity to master key concepts.
Revised Evaluation System
Another major change in the 2025 board exams is the revision of the evaluation system. CBSE will now place more emphasis on internal assessments, which will contribute 40 per cent to a student’s final grade. The remaining 60 per cent will still be determined by traditional written exams.
This new evaluation system aims to provide a more balanced approach, where students can showcase their understanding and skills beyond what is tested in the written exam. Internal assessments will likely include project work, practicals, and other forms of evaluation that reflect a student’s ability to apply knowledge.
Introduction of Open-Book Exams
In a groundbreaking move, CBSE will also introduce open-book exams for select subjects, such as English Literature and Social Science. These exams are designed to encourage critical thinking and application-based learning. Students will be allowed to refer to their textbooks during the exams, which shifts the focus from memorizing facts to analyzing, interpreting, and applying knowledge.
The aim of the open-book format is to evaluate a student’s ability to engage with the subject matter in a meaningful way. This change is expected to promote deeper learning and help students develop a better understanding of the subject, as they will have to use the information in practical scenarios rather than simply recalling facts.
Two-Term Exams from 2025-26
Looking ahead, CBSE has also confirmed that for the 2024-25 academic session, the board will continue with the existing system of a single board examination for both class 10 and 12. However, starting from the 2025-26 academic year, the board will reintroduce the concept of two-term exams. This means students will have two opportunities each year to sit for exams, with the exams being held at the end of each term.
The two-term system is part of CBSE’s long-term goal to provide a more consistent evaluation process. By allowing exams twice a year, students will have the chance to demonstrate their learning progress over the course of the year, which could help in reducing stress during the final exams. This change is expected to offer a more flexible approach to assessment, allowing students to better manage their time and workload throughout the academic year.
Conclusion
The 2025 CBSE board exams will bring significant changes that are designed to make the examination process more student-centric and less stressful. With the reduced syllabus, revised evaluation system, and the introduction of open-book exams, CBSE is aiming to create a more balanced and thoughtful approach to assessment. Additionally, the reintroduction of two-term exams from 2025-26 reflects a shift towards a more flexible and progressive evaluation system that will benefit students in the long term.
These changes demonstrate CBSE’s commitment to improving the education system and making learning more meaningful for students. The new structure will allow students to engage with their studies more effectively, paving the way for a better understanding of subjects and a reduction in unnecessary academic stress.
