In a recent announcement, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated a minimum of 75% attendance for Class 10 and 12 students to be eligible to appear for the 2025 board exams.
The directive, issued on October 14, 2024, emphasizes the importance of regular school attendance in fostering academic and personal growth.
Principals and schools in India heads across CBSE-affiliated institutions have been advised to enforce this rule strictly and to inform students and parents of the consequences of non-compliance.
Key Points of the Mandate
The attendance requirement aligns with CBSE’s Examination Bye-Laws, specifically Rules 13 and 14, which stress the necessity of student attendance in school. According to the new guidelines:
- 75% Minimum Attendance: Students must maintain at least 75% attendance to qualify for board examinations.
- Exceptions for Valid Reasons: Certain exemptions may apply in cases such as medical emergencies or participation in significant events like national or international sports competitions. However, these exceptions require official documentation for verification.
- Surprise Inspections: Schools could face random attendance checks, and students found absent without proper leave documentation may be barred from the board exams.
- No Post-January 1st Adjustments: CBSE will calculate attendance until January 1st of the academic session, after which no adjustments or revisions will be accepted. Schools must submit accurate attendance records to the Board.
To support this mandate, CBSE has provided Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to handle attendance shortages and issued a specific proforma for submitting condonation requests.
Schools are instructed to communicate the new rule clearly to students and parents, ensuring they understand the implications of inadequate attendance.
This policy underscores CBSE’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards and encouraging students to value classroom learning as an essential part of their educational journey.
