The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently issued an official directive mandating a minimum of 75% attendance for students in Classes 10 and 12 to qualify for the 2025 board exams.
This education news announcement is part of an effort to underscore the importance of regular school attendance and aligns with Rules 13 and 14 of the CBSE Examination Bye-Laws.
Principals and Heads of Schools affiliated with the Board have been reminded to strictly enforce these rules and notify both students and their parents about the updated requirements..
Importance of Attendance
CBSE emphasized that schools do much more than provide academic instruction; they play a fundamental role in fostering students’ overall growth. Schools offer platforms for not only academic learning but also personal development through extracurricular activities, peer interactions, character building, and inculcating values such as teamwork, respect for diversity, and inclusion.
Consequently, CBSE sees regular attendance as essential to holistic student development. The Board’s updated policy reflects this stance, highlighting the significant role of consistent attendance in achieving these educational and developmental outcomes.
Relaxation Policy and Exemption Criteria
To support students who may face unforeseen circumstances, CBSE has outlined a relaxation policy, allowing for up to 25% attendance reduction in certain cases. This exemption applies to situations such as medical emergencies, participation in national or international sports events, or other substantial reasons.
However, to be eligible for this relaxation, students must submit valid documentation that justifies their absence. By enforcing the CBSE 75% Attendance Requirement for Board Exams, the Board aims to balance flexibility with the importance of consistent school attendance.
School’s Role in Enforcing the Attendance Requirement
Schools are instructed to communicate this CBSE 75% Attendance Requirement for Board Exams clearly to students and their guardians. CBSE warned that if a sudden inspection reveals students are absent without official leave records, the Board will assume that they are not attending school consistently.
Consequently, these students may be denied permission to sit for the board exams. Schools play a vital role in tracking attendance closely and ensuring compliance with the policy.
Standard Operating Procedures for Attendance Monitoring
Attendance calculations for the 2025 exams will be based on records as of January 1 of the academic session, and once schools submit attendance shortage cases to CBSE, no modifications to these records will be permitted.
Additionally, the Board has introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide schools in handling attendance shortage cases. Schools must use a specific Proforma when submitting these cases for potential exemption, ensuring uniformity and compliance with CBSE guidelines.
The CBSE 75% Attendance Requirement for Board Exams includes SOPs to reinforce the significance of this rule, underscoring that attendance records are not subject to change after submission.
Reinforcing Student Discipline and Educational Engagement
The new attendance policy, including the detailed SOPs and documentation requirements, represents CBSE’s continued focus on reinforcing discipline, consistency, and active participation in the educational process.
By integrating these changes, the Board aims to cultivate an educational environment that not only emphasizes academic excellence but also prepares students for life beyond school through regular engagement and comprehensive development.
The CBSE 75% Attendance Requirement for Board Exams is a key step toward fostering a culture of discipline and academic focus, encouraging students to view school as a place for learning, growth, and personal achievement.