Introduction

Follow the latest updates from CBSE and undergraduate education. This blog highlights reforms, exam patterns, admission processes, scholarships, and student support. You’ll get clear, easy-to-read insights that help you stay ready for academic success.

1. CBSE Board Exam Highlights 2025

1.1 Board Exams Dates & Student Count

• CBSE held Class 10 and 12 exams from February 15, 2025, covering 44 lakh students and 204 subjects.
• Students got briefed on exam ethics, allowed items, and banned items. Mobile phones, smart watches, and handbags got banned to ensure fairness  Hindustan Times.

1.2 Exam Format Changes

• CBSE cut down on short‑ and long‑answer questions.
• It placed more weight on competency‑based questions.
• Fixed 75 % attendance became mandatory.
• It created special exam provisions for athletes  The Times of India.

1.3 Re‑evaluation & CBSE Answer Key

• CBSE revamped its re‑evaluation process to add transparency  The Times of India.
• Released the Superintendent Exam Answer Key on July 17, 2025. Candidates can calculate scores and raise objections during a set window.

2. Major Reforms under NEP 2020

2.1 Biannual Board Exams from 2026

• Starting 2026, CBSE will hold Class 10 board exams twice a year—one mandatory, one optional for improvement.
• Students can improve up to three subjects. CBSE will consider the better score.
• This aligns with NEP‐2020 to reduce stress and offer flexibility.

2.2 Nationwide Biannual CET Exams

• Several states plan to offer Common Entrance Tests (CETs) twice yearly—for courses like engineering and medicine.
• This mirrors CBSE’s reforms and helps students better plan their attempts.

3. Board Affiliation & Infrastructure Updates

3.1 CCTV Mandatory in Schools

• CBSE made real‑time CCTV cameras mandatory in all affiliated schools to improve student safety.

3.2 New CCTV Rules in Marathi

• Schools must install audio‑visual systems under the rule.
• Parents and school staff will get confidence through continuous monitoring  Maharashtra Times.

4. Curriculum & Skill Initiatives

4.1 Art‑Integrated Projects

• From 2025–26, CBSE requires Art‑Integrated Projects in Classes I–X.
• Students link core subjects with arts, such as Telangana’s culture, under Ek Bharat  Shreshtha.
• Projects must be eco-friendly and uploaded online.

4.2 Two‑Tier STEM Reform

• CBSE plans to expand its dual‑level STEM curriculum for Classes 11–12.
• Students will choose the level that matches their comfort and career paths.

5. Digital & Academic Tools

5.1 Saransh and Pariksha Pe Charcha

• CBSE’s Saransh portal helps parents track student performance with dashboards  Wikipedia.
• CBSE also conducts Pariksha Pe Charcha, letting students interact with leaders to ease exam stress.

5.2 National Academic Depository (NAD)

• NAD lets students store digital certificates to fight fake degrees.
• CBSE piloted it alongside universities. It faces integration challenges across course types  CBSE Academic.

6. CBSE Schemes for Students & Teachers

6.1 Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

• CBSE offers scholarships to poor but bright students for undergrad studies.
• Applications open by October 31, 2025 via scholarships.gov.in. Institution verification is required  The Economic Times.

6.2 UDAAN for Girls in STEM

• UDAAN gives underprivileged girls free online resources, tablets, tutorials, and mentorship in Science and Maths.

6.3 Teacher Training Events

• CBSE runs regular capacity‑building programs for teachers—on STEM, AI, medicine, IT, and more.
• Regions include Delhi, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Noida… all throughout 2025.
• These updates come via CBSE’s academic unit  CBSE Academic The Times of India.

7. Undergraduate Admissions: What to Expect

7.1 Admission Schedules Across India

• After CBSE Class XII results, states like Bihar fast‑track undergraduate admission.
• Universities organize centralized admissions on the CBCS four‑year model.
• Example: Patna University ran applications from April 24–May 23; classes began July 3  Navbharat Times.

7.2 DigiLocker Roadblocks

• Maharashtra tried to use DigiLocker to verify CBSE and ICSE marksheets.
• It failed due to security and data issues. Colleges reverted to manual checks but will randomly audit 5% of applications  The Times of India.

8. Challenges & Controversies

8.1 Textbook Content Disputes

• NCERT faced criticism for revising Class 8–12 social-science texts.
• Some saw a communal bias in descriptions of Mughal rulers  Wikipedia.

8.2 Admission Age Differences

• In Madhya Pradesh, state rules require age 6 for Class 1, CBSE accepts age 5.
• MP High Court asked CBSE and state board to clarify  Navbharat Times.

9. What It Means for You

9.1 Students

• Expect more exam chances, reduced stress, and clearer re‑evaluation.
• Watch for new rules in ethics and digital safety.
• Opportunities include scholarships and UDAAN support.

9.2 Teachers & Schools

• Install CCTV and adopt art‑integrated curriculum.
• Use digital platforms like Saransh and NAD.
• Attend teacher training to stay updated.

9.3 Parents & Guardians

• Stay informed via Saransh dashboards.
• Support children through project uploads and follow admission schedules.
• Apply for scholarships and monitor DigiLocker initiatives.

Conclusion

CBSE is transforming fast. You get modern exams, more help, and more transparency from 2025 onwards. States and universities match this pace with centralized UG systems and tech upgrades. Keep learning about these changes, apply early, and seize every chance.