Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that starting from the academic session 2025-26, students will have the option to take their 10th and 12th class board exams twice a year. This initiative aligns with one of the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) introduced in 2020, aiming to alleviate the academic pressure on students. Pradhan made this declaration while launching the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) scheme in Chhattisgarh, which will involve upgrading 211 schools in the state. The event took place at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay auditorium in Raipur.
Emphasizing the importance of reducing academic stress, Pradhan highlighted the concept of introducing ten bag-less days in schools annually. He stressed the significance of engaging students in activities such as art, culture, and sports to provide a holistic educational experience. The NEP 2020 outlines plans for board examinations to be held at least twice a year, offering students ample time and opportunities to excel academically. Students will also have the option to retain their best score.
Pradhan urged students to embrace the opportunity and assured them that the government’s focus is on providing quality education, fostering cultural connections, and preparing them for the future, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. He criticized the previous Congress government for neglecting the education sector but affirmed that education has become a top priority under the BJP administration and the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The PM SHRI scheme will be implemented in two phases, with 211 schools, including elementary and secondary levels, being upgraded in the first phase. This initiative follows a ‘hub and spoke’ model, where mentor institutions guide mentee institutions to enhance self-improvement. Responding to a request from Chhattisgarh’s School and Higher Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Pradhan assured that more secondary and higher secondary schools would be included in the scheme’s subsequent phase.
Looking ahead, Pradhan expressed India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics Games and emphasized the need for Chhattisgarh athletes to contribute significantly to India’s medal tally. He urged for preparations to commence promptly, with the aim of achieving this ambitious goal. Chief Minister Sai, Minister Agrawal, and other senior officials attended the event to mark the launch of the PM SHRI scheme.