The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which announced that it will allow class 12 students to take exams to improve their marks after the results of the Supreme Court-approved assessment scheme are released, said that it cannot declare the dates now due to the prevalence of COVID-19.
The CBSE was responding to a demand made by lawyer Rishi Malhotra, who was appearing for the parents of students.
Malhotra said there needs to be clarity on the deadline for students to apply for the exams after the results under the new assessment scheme are announced.
If there is no clarity, the case could return to the court, he argued.
The CBSE, which has said it will announce the results as per the new assessment scheme by July 15, however, dismissed the argument.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the board, said the dates cannot be declared till there is some indication on by when the COVID crisis will improve. If the situation improves by October, then the dates can be decided in September, he said.
The CBSE does not want to cause unnecessary stress to the students, Mehta said.
The court accepted this argument.
On Friday, the court allowed both the CBSE and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, which conducts the ICSE exams, to cancel the remaining Class 10 and Class 12 board exams. It also approved the alternative assessment scheme for students proposed by them.
National Testing Agency to decide on NEET, JEE dates
The decision to cancel the Class 12 exams will affect the conduct of NEET, JEE Main and other entrance examinations for various professional courses.
The CBSE has already postponed the CTET or the Central Teacher Ability Test, which is conducted to pick candidates for the appointment of teachers in its schools. It has not announced a new date.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has to take a decision on NEET and JEE Main.
The entrance examinations for professional courses should be rescheduled in view of the changes in the schedule for CBSE Class 12 exams, the Supreme Court has told the central government.