Maharashtra, Gujarat postpone 2021 Board Exams; CBSE, CISCE says too early to decide on a delay

New Delhi: Maharashtra State Board and Gujarat State Board have decided to postpone the 10th and 12th Board Exams 2021 till May instead of February - March as the academic calendar is interrupted by Covid-19 which continues to spill uncertainty over various sectors.

The two central boards — Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) — are, however, yet to take a call on the schedule and said "it's too early to decide".

Schools across the country were shut down on March 16 in view of the coronavirus pandemic. While several restrictions have been eased gradually in different phases of the 'unlock' since June 8, educational institutions continue to remain closed and students lost their academic days to complete the syllabus.

Officials in both the boards are assessing the situation and waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Education to take a call on the matter. The boards had earlier hinted at the possibility of a delay. CBSE usually announces the date sheet for the board exams in November but it has not been released yet.

The Print quoted the sources from CBSE who said that the board was looking at all options because it would have to take a final call in consultation with other boards like the CISCE and state boards and also consider JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) Schedules. Meanwhile, CISCE officials said they are awaiting instructions from the central government. Both the CBSE and CISCE had reduced the syllabus to help students cope with the absence of physical classes.

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