The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of the largest educational boards in India, responsible for shaping the academic future of millions of students. However, in recent years, CBSE has gained a reputation for frequently altering its curriculum, exam patterns, and evaluation methods—sometimes with little warning. This has led to frustration among students, teachers, and parents alike. Is CBSE truly innovating for better education, or are students just guinea pigs in a never-ending series of experiments?
The Ever-Changing Exam Patterns
One of the most significant sources of stress for students is the unpredictable changes in exam formats. From shifting question patterns to introducing objective-type questions and case-based studies, CBSE regularly modifies the assessment criteria. While the board claims these changes aim to make students think critically rather than memorize, the frequent shifts often leave students confused and unprepared.
For instance, the transition to a two-term board exam system in 2021-22 due to COVID-19 was suddenly reversed the following year. The students who had adapted to the new pattern had to readjust to the old one almost immediately. Such inconsistencies create unnecessary anxiety and reduce the time students have to focus on actual learning.
Additionally, the final exam patterns often do not align with the sample papers provided by CBSE. This creates further stress for students who prepare based on sample question formats. Moreover, topics that were officially removed from the syllabus have sometimes appeared in board exams, adding to students' frustration.
For Class XII students, board exam marks play a crucial role in securing admission to higher education institutions. Lower marks mean reduced chances of getting into competitive colleges. Reports suggest that some of this year’s CBSE exam questions were on par with JEE Main difficulty levels, making it even tougher for students to score well.
CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam 2025: A Tough Challenge
The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam for 2025, held on February 21, presented a range of challenges that have sparked discussions among students and educators.
Exam Structure: The paper consisted of five sections totaling 70 marks, encompassing multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short answer questions, long answer questions, and case study-based questions.
Difficulty Level: Students reported that Sets 2 and 3 were particularly challenging compared to Sets 1 and 4. The paper included tricky MCQs, lengthy numerical problems, and some unexpected questions, making time management a critical factor.
Student Reactions: Many students found the paper to be lengthy and struggled to complete all questions within the allotted time. Some educators observed that high-scoring students might find it difficult to secure marks above 95 due to the complexity of the paper.
Impact on Future Prospects: The increased difficulty and length of the exam may affect students' scores, influencing their eligibility for competitive courses and institutions.
This challenging paper has once again highlighted the unpredictability of CBSE exams and their impact on students' academic performance.
The Unpredictable Curriculum Modifications
Another area where CBSE frequently experiments is the syllabus. Chapters are removed, reintroduced, or reshuffled with little consideration for students who have already planned their studies based on previous syllabi. While syllabus reduction during the pandemic was understandable, the abrupt return of omitted topics in later years created gaps in students’ understanding, making it difficult to transition to higher studies smoothly.
The unpredictability doesn’t stop there. The introduction of competency-based education, skill subjects, and changes in internal assessments often come with little guidance for students and teachers, leading to confusion and inconsistency in implementation.
Exam Stress and Suicide Cases in India
The frequent changes in CBSE’s curriculum and exam patterns have significantly contributed to student stress, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes. Recent incidents highlight the severity of this issue:
Kota, Rajasthan: Known as a hub for competitive exam coaching, Kota has witnessed a disturbing rise in student suicides. In 2023, the city reported 26 student suicides—the highest ever recorded. While 2024 saw a 50% decline due to various preventive measures, January 2025 experienced a resurgence, with six students ending their lives in less than a month.
Kochi, Kerala: A Class 12 student from Naipunya Public School reportedly died by suicide due to exam stress. Additionally, in January 2025, 15-year-old Mihir Ahammed, a student at Global Public School Ernakulam, died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to severe ragging by senior classmates. Reports indicate he faced physical and mental torture, including being forced to lick a toilet and enduring racial discrimination.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for educational reforms that prioritize student well-being. While academic excellence is important, it should not come at the cost of mental health. Educational boards like CBSE must consider the broader implications of their policies and work towards creating a supportive and stable learning environment.
The Burden on Teachers and Schools
Teachers, too, bear the brunt of CBSE's frequent changes. They often receive updates mid-academic year, leaving them scrambling to adjust lesson plans and teaching methods. Schools struggle to implement these changes effectively, especially when there’s a lack of clear communication from CBSE.
Moreover, changes in assessment styles require updated training for educators, which is not always provided in time. As a result, students may not receive the right guidance, affecting their performance in exams and overall understanding of subjects.
Are These Changes Truly Beneficial?
While CBSE justifies its experiments as part of an effort to modernize the education system and align with global standards, the lack of stability has become a major concern. Education should be about consistent learning, not adapting to sudden policy changes every year.
Students require a stable and well-planned curriculum that allows them to grasp concepts deeply rather than constantly worrying about new patterns and expectations. If CBSE truly wants to improve education, it should focus on gradual, well-researched reforms rather than last-minute overhauls that disrupt learning.
Conclusion
Education reforms are essential, but they should be well-structured and predictable. CBSE's frequent and abrupt changes often make students feel like test subjects in an uncontrolled experiment rather than learners in a structured system. If the board truly wants to prioritize student welfare, it must take a more thoughtful and consistent approach to implementing changes. Stability, clarity, and proper guidance should be the pillars of any educational reform—without them, students will continue to struggle in an endless cycle of adjustments.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a helpline. Support is available, and you are not alone.