CBSE Rolls Out New Assessment Policy for West Asian Students as Supreme Court Closes Case
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has formulated a new assessment policy for private candidates in West Asia whose exam results were delayed due to regional conflict, leading the Supreme Court to dispose of a related petition.
On Monday, the Union government informed a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices S.V.N. Bhatti and Vipul M. Pancholi that the CBSE had established a fresh evaluation scheme for private candidates affected by the cancellation of examinations in Gulf countries. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the CBSE, stated that the policy, notified on June 21, includes a separate assessment formula for these students.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Pransu Jigarkumar Patel, a private candidate who sought the declaration of his Class XII improvement examination results. Patel had appeared for exams in physics, chemistry, mathematics, English, and computer science in Saudi Arabia, but due to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, the CBSE cancelled several exams in West Asia on March 15. He was only able to sit for physics and chemistry.
In response, the CBSE issued an initial assessment scheme on March 27, which relied on school-based records like quarterly, half-yearly, and pre-board exams. However, regular candidates had those records, while private candidates did not. On May 13, the board declared results, but Patel's status showed “RL” (Result Later), prompting him to approach the Supreme Court.
The new policy addresses this gap. Under the scheme, marks for subjects with cancelled exams are computed with a 40% weightage to theory marks from Class X board exams and 60% weightage from Class XII board exams. For Class X students, the average of their three highest-scoring subjects is normalized against maximum marks.
Mr. Mehta informed the court that Patel's result had been computed and emailed to him, with access also provided through DigiLocker. He added that dissatisfied candidates may appear in the next regular examination.
Patel's counsel acknowledged the result declaration but sought liberty to obtain answer scripts and request re-evaluation under CBSE rules. Justice Bhatti noted that such relief was not sought in the petition and that courts generally avoid interfering in exam matters. The bench disposed of the petition, granting Patel the freedom to approach the board for any further remedies.
The policy aims to balance fairness and feasibility for affected students in conflict zones, ensuring that academic progress is not unduly hindered.
