New Delhi: After a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Education has decided to postpone the CBSE Exams 2021 for Class 12 while exams for Class 10 are cancelled.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and other senior officials in the Ministry on Wednesday discussed the issue of holding CBSE Board exams amid demand from students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to cancel amid rise in the spread of COVID-19.

The Board Exams for Class XIIth supposed to be held from May 4 to June, 14th, 2021 are postponed. These exams will be held hereafter. The situation will be reviewed on June 1 by the Board and details will be shared then. A notice of at least 15 days will be given before the start of the exams.

Taking cognisance of various political leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, demanding to postpone board exams amid surge in COVID cases, it was learnt that the Prime Minister will hold a virtual meeting with Pokhriyal, Education Secretary, CBSE officials and other senior officials concerned.

On Monday, a meeting on the issue was also organised by the Ministry of Education and the CBSE to discuss all features related to the board exams where it should be postponed, or it should be held following COVID protocols. The chorus for cancellation of upcoming board exams for class 10 and 12 grew louder from past few days.

Many politicians and other stakeholders in the society came in support of the students and parents, apart from cancelling the exams as well as with suggestions to conduct it online. Delhi CM on Tuesday appealed to the Centre to cancel it, saying, "some alternative methods could be thought of. Children can be promoted this time on the basis of either an online method or internal assessment. But CBSE exams should be cancelled".

Noting devastating second wave of Covid-19, Rahul Gandhi said: "Conducting CBSE exams must be reconsidered. All stakeholders must be consulted before making sweeping decisions."

Bollywood actor Sonu Sood also extended support to the students, saying, "I request everyone to support students who are forced to appear for offline board exams in these tough times. With the number of cases rising to 145k a day, I feel there should be an internal assessment method to promote them rather than risking so many lives."

(With inputs from IANS)