New Delhi
The CBSE’s draft norms for the Class 10 board exam do not mention Punjabi, sparking strong opposition from Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. He accused the board of attempting to remove Punjabi and asserted that his government would not tolerate any attack on the language. Bains demanded that Punjabi be recognized as Punjab’s primary language and a regional language nationwide.
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj clarified that no subjects were being removed and that the list in the draft was only indicative. He assured that all existing subjects would remain in the board exams.
The draft proposes two exam phases from 2026—one in February and another in May—giving students the option to appear for both or choose one. The second phase will also serve as a supplementary exam, replacing the separate supplementary exam system, aligning with the National Education Policy’s recommendation to reduce exam pressure.