CBSE Board Exams: Draft NCF 2023 Recommends Semester System in 12th Class, No More Division of Stream

CBSE Board Exams: The Draft National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 has suggested many changes in the pedagogy and curricular structure for the CBSE board exams. The Draft NCF has suggested several changes in course structure from classes 9th to 12th. The Ministry of Education (MoE) released the Draft NCF 2023 on 6th April 2023 for review and feedback from students, parents, teachers, educators, and other professionals in order to improve the NCF pre-draft. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education is based on the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The Draft NCF 2023 recommends the implementation of a semester system in Class 12 board exams, subject flexibility in secondary and higher secondary education, and more. According to the Draft NCF 2023, students should complete a total of 16 mandatory courses across two years of classes 9 and 10. As per the expert panel of NCF 2023, students should finish two necessary courses from each of the eight curricular areas to be offered in classes 9th and 10th. The eight curricular areas from which the courses must be selected in classes 9 and 10 are listed below;

1. Humanities (includes language)
2. Mathematics and Computing
3. Vocational Education
4. Physical Education
5. Arts
6. Social Science
7. Science
8. Inter-Disciplinary Areas

Semester System for Class 12

As per the Draft NCF 2023, the exam pattern for classes 9 and 10 will remain the same. The expert panel of Draft NCF 2023 suggested a semester system for class 12 board exams. It has been recommended in light of the difficulty education boards face in completing the syllabus and conducting examinations on time. The NCF draft 2023 states, “Modular Board Examinations will be offered as opposed to a single examination at the end of the year. The final certification will be based on the cumulative result of each examination“. Two board exams a year will ensure that students have enough time and opportunity to score better. Students will have the option of appearing for the board examination in courses they have completed and believe they are prepared for.

No More Stream Division after Class 10

Another significant reform suggested by the NCF Draft 2023 is allowing students to choose their subjects in higher education rather than being forced to take pre-selected subjects. The NCF Draft 2023 suggests doing away with the stream system and introducing greater flexibility among subject options. When a student chooses a discipline, he/she will have to complete four choice-based courses from that discipline. Apart from that, students can choose subjects from other disciplines too. So, a student can study Maths, Physics, and History together at the same time, which was not possible until now.

So, if this draft is approved, the students will have the flexibility to pursue a mix of science, arts, and commerce subjects. The eight disciplines available in classes 11th and 12th will be the same as those available in classes 9th and 10th. The eight disciplines (also known as curricular area) will be divided into three categories for students of classes 11th and 12th. Choice-based courses will be designed to promote deeper and more rigorous involvement based on the disciplines within the curricular areas.

The NCF Draft 2023 has been created by a panel of experts, headed by K Kasturirangan, former ISRO chairman. According to the new Draft, the result of board exams in classes 10 and 12 may consider the marks scored in previous classes as well. Schools have also been advised to make arrangements for offering at least one curricular area from each of the following categories:

Category 1: Humanities or Social Science or Science or Mathematics and Computing

Category 2: Inter-disciplinary Areas

Category 3: Arts or Sports or Vocational Education