CBSE Class XII Exams In July: Parents File PIL In Supreme Court Seeking Quashing Of Notification

New Delhi: A group of parents from Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) suit in the Supreme Court and sought scrapping of the CBSE notification to conduct the remaining Class XII board examinations from July. The group of parents cited the coronavirus pandemic situation in the country as a cause of serious concern. They also cited data from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) which stated that the coronavirus pandemic in Delhi would be at its peak in the month of July and that it could reach the 3 lakh figure .

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had on May 18, issued a notification announcing the schedule of the remaining examinations of CBSE Board (Class XII) for two weeks beginning July 1.

The PIL expressed fears with regard to the safety of students. It pointed out that the exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic would be widespread if these students had to appear in the examinations.

The PIL also pointed out that COVID-19 cases in India are rising sharply. Referring to current numbers of rising COVID-19 cases, the petitioners said that even if half of them turn out to be asymptomatic, students appearing for CBSE exams could put themselves and their family members at risk.

The PIL further also referred to the soaring temperatures in the month of July.

The Tamil Nadu High Court questioned the decision of the government to hold exams following which the state Government decided to withdraw the move. The state, as in the case of Telangana, later decided to promote all students of X standard this year without examinations.