The Ministry of Human Resource Development in India on Wednesday, March 18, directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and all educational institutions in the country to postpone exams till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
This precautionary measure is required to be taken by all educational institutions and examination boards under the Ministry of HRD even as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
With reference to the above, all ongoing Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations for board classes Grade 10 and 12 in India and abroad, scheduled between March 19 to March 31, have been postponed.
New dates will be announced by the board after a reassessment of the situation, on March 31.
During this period, the re-examinations that were to be held for the students of New Delhi’s riot-affected northeastern areas will also be rescheduled, clarified the document.
Evaluation centres in the country are also being closed until the end of the month.
"While maintenance of academic calendar and exam schedule is important, equally important is safety and security of students who are appearing in various examinations as also of their teachers and parents," HRD secretary Amit Khare said in an official communication.
UAE, GCC and other countries have rescheduled the ongoing Class X and XII being held in their countries between March 19 and 31 to after March 31.
In a detailed statement explaining the rationale behind the move Khare said, “CBSE has already issued detailed instructions for the precautionary measures to be taken at various examination and evaluation centers. However, it is noted that during examinations, large number of parents/guardians accompany their wards”.
Concerned examinees, parents and teachers had expressed their anxiety in emails to CBSE and on various social media platforms given the current COVID-19 situation.
MHRD directed CBSE and all education institutions that:
(I) All ongoing examinations may be rescheduled after 31.03.2020. This would include CBSE, NIOS as also University Exams.
(II) All evaluation work may be rescheduled after 31.03.2020. This would include evaluation work of CBSE, NIOS as also University Exams.
(III) Since JEE Mains may require travel by examinees to different towns and the dates may clash with rescheduled CBSE and other Board exams therefore, JEE Mains should be rescheduled and new date of JEE Mains will be announced on 31.03.2020 after re-assessment of situation.
Educational Institutions and Examination Boards were requested to maintain regular communication with the students and teachers through electronic means and keep them fully informed so that there is no anxiety amongst the students, teachers and parents.
All institutions were also requested to notify help-line numbers/e-mails which students can access for their queries.
Khare requested all students, teachers and parents not to panic as MHRD is committed to ensure safety and security of students as also the maintenance of the academic calendar.