CBSE – Supreme Court Seeks Response on Gulf Students’ Compartment Exam Plea
CBSE – The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Union government and the Central Board of Secondary Education on a petition filed by Class 12 students from Gulf and West Asian countries whose board examinations were disrupted amid regional tensions connected to the US-Iran conflict.
Court Issues Notices to Government and CBSE
A bench comprising Justices KV Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe issued notices to the Centre and CBSE after hearing the matter. The court asked the petitioners to provide a copy of their plea to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and fixed July 14 for the next hearing.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that CBSE has scheduled compartment examinations from July 28. However, the petitioners said no separate examination timetable has been announced for affected students studying in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other parts of West Asia.
Students Seek Special Opportunity for Compartment Exams
The petition was moved by a group of Class 12 students from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. They have requested that CBSE provide them with an opportunity to take compartment examinations after regular board papers in their region could not be conducted as planned.
The students have also sought several relief measures, including one-time compensatory grace marks and special improvement examinations. They have asked for a better-of-two option, which would allow the higher score between the existing assessment result and the special examination result to be considered.
According to the plea, the proposed measures are intended to address the academic impact on students whose examination schedules were affected by circumstances beyond their control.
Request for DASA and CIWG Eligibility Relaxation
The petition also seeks temporary relaxation in eligibility requirements under Direct Admission of Students Abroad and Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries categories. These admission routes are used by eligible overseas students seeking seats in higher education institutions in India.
The students have asked the court to ensure that their college admissions are protected so that they do not lose an academic year because of the altered evaluation process. The petition states that students who meet admission standards should not face disadvantages due to the cancellation of board examinations in the affected region.
Challenge to CBSE’s Special Assessment Plan
The plea challenges the special assessment arrangement introduced by CBSE after several Class 12 board papers in Gulf and West Asian countries were cancelled earlier this year.
Under the assessment scheme announced on March 27, CBSE decided to calculate marks in certain subjects using students’ performance in quarterly examinations, half-yearly tests and pre-board examinations. The arrangement was adopted after regular board papers could not be held because of the geopolitical situation in the region.
The petitioners have argued that the assessment method may not fully reflect their academic performance and could affect their eligibility for higher education admissions. They have sought an additional examination option to give students a chance to improve their scores through a formal test.
Matter Listed for July 14 Hearing
The Supreme Court will consider the responses of the Union government and CBSE when the case comes up for hearing on July 14. The outcome could have implications for Class 12 students in the affected Gulf and West Asian countries who are awaiting clarity on compartment examinations and admission-related safeguards.