Delhi High Court seeks CBSE's stand on calculator use in Class 12 board exams

The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Union Government on a petition seeking permission for Class 12 students to use calculators in board examinations.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma issued notices to the concerned authorities and directed them to file their responses within six weeks.

The petition seeks permission for basic, non-programmable calculators in the Class 12 Accountancy examination. It has also requested the formation of an expert committee to examine whether calculator use should be permitted in Mathematics examinations.WHY STUDENTS ARE SEEKING CALCULATOR PERMISSION

The petitioners have argued that students spend considerable time performing lengthy calculations manually in Accountancy and Mathematics examinations. This, they said, reduces the time available to demonstrate conceptual understanding and apply subject knowledge.

They have maintained that allowing basic calculators would help students focus more on problem-solving and the application of concepts rather than spending excessive time on routine calculations.

The plea also referred to a decision taken by the CBSE Curriculum Committee during its 70th meeting, held on November 25 and 26, 2024. The committee had approved the use of basic, non-programmable calculators in the Class 12 Accountancy examination.

The petitioners have argued that permitting calculators would be consistent with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

Both policy documents emphasise conceptual understanding, critical thinking and higher-order learning skills instead of an excessive focus on rote memorisation.

The petitioners also stated that they had submitted a detailed representation to CBSE and other concerned authorities, requesting them to consider the proposal. However, they claimed that no response was received within the stipulated period, prompting them to approach the Delhi High Court.COURT HAS NOT APPROVED CALCULATOR USE YET

The latest development does not mean that calculators have been permitted in CBSE Class 12 board examinations.

The High Court has only sought responses from CBSE, NCERT and the Union Government. The authorities have been given six weeks to submit their replies.

The final decision on whether students will be allowed to use calculators in Accountancy and Mathematics examinations will depend on the further proceedings and the authorities' responses.- EndsRead | Nine Guinness records at 16: The story of India's human calculator Aaryan ShuklaRead | Students learned more with an AI tutor than in class, a new report reveals