Because of the COVID 19 epidemic, practically all CBSE schools are forced to operate in virtual mode for the academic year 2020-21. CBSE has to cancel both its class X and XII Board examinations for the year 2021 due to the second wave of Corona. Later, the system announced that results would be released on the basis of a trustworthy, dependable, and flexible system.

Recently, CBSE launched assessment criteria for Board Examination Classes X and XII for the Session 2021-22.  Following schemes are introduced for the Academic Session for Class X and Class XII 2021- 22.

Special Scheme for 2021-22

A. Academic session to be divided into 2 Terms with approximately 50% syllabus in each term: The syllabus for the Academic session 2021-22 will be divided into 2 terms by following a systematic approach by looking into the interconnectivity of concepts and topics by the Subject Experts and the Board will conduct examinations at the end of each term on the basis of the bifurcated syllabus. This is done to increase the probability of having a Board conducted classes X and XII examinations at the end of the academic session.

 B. The syllabus for the Board examination 2021-22 will be rationalized similar to that of the last academic session to be notified in July 2021. For academic transactions, however, schools will follow the curriculum and syllabus released by the Board vide Circular no. F.1001/CBSEAcad/Curriculum/2021 dated 31 March 2021. Schools will also use an alternative academic calendar and inputs from the NCERT on transacting the curriculum.

C. Efforts will be made to make Internal Assessment/ Practical/ Project work more credible and valid as per the guidelines and Moderation Policy to be announced by the Board to ensure fair distribution of marks.

 Details of Curriculum Transaction 

Schools will continue teaching in distance mode till the authorities permit an in-person mode of teaching in schools.

 Classes IX-X: Internal Assessment (throughout the year-irrespective of Term I and II) would include the 3 periodic tests, student enrichment, portfolio, and practical work/ speaking listening activities/ project.

 Classes XI-XII: Internal Assessment (throughout the year-irrespective of Term I and II) would include end of topic or unit tests/ exploratory activities/ practicals/ projects.

 Schools would create a student profile for all assessments undertaken over the year and retain the pieces of evidence in digital format. 

CBSE will facilitate schools to upload marks of Internal Assessment on the CBSE IT platform.

 The term I Examinations:

At the end of the first term, the Board will organize Term I Examination between November-December 2021 with a window period of 4-8 weeks for schools situated in different parts of the country and abroad. Dates for the conduct of examinations will be notified subsequently.

The Question Paper will have Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) including case-based MCQs and MCQs on the assertion-reasoning type. The duration of test will be 90 minutes and it will cover only the rationalized syllabus of The term I only (i.e. approx. 50% of the entire syllabus).

Question Papers will be sent by the CBSE to schools along with marking scheme.

The responses of students will be captured on OMR sheets which, after scanning may be directly uploaded at the CBSE portal or alternatively may be evaluated and marks obtained will be uploaded by the school on the very same day. The final direction in this regard will be conveyed to schools by the Examination Unit of the Board.

Marks of the Term I Examination will contribute to the final overall score of students.

5. Term II Examination/ Year-end Examination:

At the end of the second term, the Board would organize Term II or Yearend Examination based on the rationalized syllabus of Term II only (i.e. approximately 50% of the entire syllabus).

This examination would be held around March-April 2022 at the examination centers fixed by the Board.

The paper will be of 2 hours duration and have questions of different formats (case-based/ situation based, open-ended- short answer/ long answer type).

In case the situation is not conducive for normal descriptive examination a 90 minute MCQ based exam will be conducted at the end of the Term II also.

Marks of the Term II Examination would contribute to the final overall score.

Assessment / Examination as per different situations

In case the situation of the pandemic improves and students are able to come to schools or centers for taking the exams.

In case the situation of the pandemic forces complete closure of schools during November-December 2021, but Term II exams are held at schools or centers.

In case the situation of the pandemic forces complete closure of schools during March-April 2022, but Term I exams are held at schools or centers.

In case the situation of the pandemic forces complete closure of schools and Board conducted Term I and II exams are taken by the candidates from home in the session 2021-22.