Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is brainstorming on scheduling the two rounds of board examinations as recommended in the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), with alternatives being January-February, March-April, and June. 

A second option for the CBSE is looking for a semester system with biannual exams. As of now, the CBSE conducts Class 10 and 12 exams in February-March. 

"The three possible options that have been discussed is conducting the exams in a semester system, with the first board exam in January-February and the second one in March-April or conducting the second set of board exams in June with the supplementary or improvement exams," an official was quoted as saying by PTI.

"The way our academic calendar is designed, plus the schedule of competitive exams and geographical challenges since CBSE schools are spread across the country and even abroad, the semester system seems less feasible," the official added.

The board has informed that Union education ministry that over 150 steps are needed to hold board exams of Classes 10 and 12 in the current system.

"The process involves a minimum of 310 days, starting from filling of the list of candidates, centre notifications, release of roll numbers, conduct of practicals, theory exams, result declaration, verification and revaluation. At least 55 days are required to conduct the two exams," the board has informed.

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"Conducting exams before February also has its own challenges because some states have difficult winters. Currently, the schedule of board exams begins around February 15, so dates have to be worked out accordingly to provide a considerable gap," the official said.

"Another option can be to conduct the second set of exams in June alongside the supplementary or improvement exam. However, none of these options are final. We are still brainstorming and widespread consultations are on. It is possible that more options would emerge during the process," the official added.

The ministry's initial aim was to implement biennial board exams in the 2024-25 academic year. However, it has been pushed back by one year.

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The new NCF, prepared by the Union government-appointed national steering group chaired by former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan and in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, proposes a semester system for students in Classes 11 and 12.