- By Priyanka Koul
- Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a special exam for students unable to appear for their March 15, 2025, board exams due to Holi celebrations in certain regions. While most of India will observe Holi on March 14, in some areas, the festival will extend into March 15, potentially affecting students scheduled to take their exams on that day.
CBSE’s Decision to Accommodate Students
To ensure fairness, CBSE has decided to allow affected students to skip the March 15 exam and appear for a special examination at a later date. This is in line with the board’s existing policy, which grants special exam opportunities to students participating in national or international sports events.
“It has been informed to CBSE that, though Holi will be celebrated on March 14, 2025, in most parts of India, in some areas, celebrations may continue on March 15,” the board stated in an official notice.
“In view of this, students who face difficulties in attending the exam on March 15 may choose not to appear that day. They will be given a chance to take the exam later along with students who qualify for special examinations,” CBSE added.
Exam Schedule & Upcoming Changes
The Hindi Core (302) and Hindi Elective (002) Class 12 exams are scheduled for March 15, 2025. The Class 12 board exams will continue until April 2, while the Class 10 exams will conclude on March 18.
Additionally, CBSE has proposed a new system for Class 10 students starting in 2026, allowing them to take the board exams twice a year. This change aims to give students a second chance to improve their scores while maintaining the current exam structure.
CBSE’s move to offer a special exam for Holi-affected students reflects its commitment to ensuring equal opportunities while recognizing the importance of festive traditions in different regions.