Students call CBSE’s decision “abrupt and unfair,” saying it restricts academic flexibility and limits career opportunities.
The Controversial Decision by CBSE
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently issued a notice that has sent shockwaves across the student community, particularly among private candidates preparing for the 2026 board examinations.
According to the revised policy, Class 10 students can opt for two additional subjects, while Class 12 students can choose only one. Moreover, private candidates will no longer be allowed to register for additional subjects beyond those taken during their initial Class 12 exams.
Until 2024, private candidates had the flexibility to appear for one or more additional subjects — a system that helped thousands diversify their academic qualifications or realign their careers. The abrupt removal of this option has now triggered protests from more than 50,000 students nationwide, who fear the decision will restrict academic flexibility and hurt their long-term career prospects.
CBSE Students Feel “Trapped and Uncertain”
For many, this decision is not just an administrative change but a disruption of carefully planned futures.
Take the example of Kumar Aditya, an 18-year-old who cleared Class 12 in 2024 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. He had planned to add Mathematics as an additional subject to become eligible for engineering entrance exams such as JEE and WBJEE.
“The sudden removal of this option has placed students like me in a very uncertain position,” Aditya explained. “Many entrance exams strictly mandate Math in Class 12. Without this pathway, my eligibility is at serious risk. Since the change came so close to the exam cycle, it feels abrupt and unfair.”
Aditya is not alone. Anmol Agnihotri, another aspirant targeting JEE 2026, shared his frustration: “CBSE should have taken this decision earlier. I was preparing to reappear in Mathematics as a private candidate. Now, I am left with no option except re-enrolling in NIOS, which means starting over. This has derailed my plans completely.”
Impact Beyond Science Students
While science aspirants are among the worst hit, the impact of CBSE’s decision extends far beyond them. Students who realised later that they had chosen the wrong subject combinations — whether in History, Geography, Accountancy, or Business Studies — are also left stranded.
Previously, private candidacy offered a second chance for students to correct course without re-enrolling in school. Now, that door has been shut. As one student put it, “This decision doesn’t just affect career-driven students aiming for competitive exams; it narrows opportunities for anyone who wants to expand their academic horizons.”
Students have also raised concerns that candidates who passed in 2020 and earlier are still eligible under “improvement” or “compartment” categories, while those who graduated in 2023 or 2024 are being denied similar opportunities. “Why this sudden cut-off? It feels discriminatory,” said one aspirant.
Deadline Adds to Anxiety
The situation is worsened by the ticking clock. The application window for private candidates closes on September 30, 2025, leaving students with little time to find alternatives.
Many claim they had already invested months preparing for their additional subjects, only to see their efforts wasted. “We are left with no second chance,” one student said. “Our only options are to either lose a year or abandon our chosen career paths.”
Demands for Rollback or Alternatives
The protests, amplified by emails and online campaigns, are centered around two demands:
- Rollback the decision and restore the option for additional subjects.
- If rollback is not possible, provide alternatives such as:
- Bridge courses or supplementary exams.
- Recognition of additional subjects taken through open boards like NIOS.
“Scrapping the option without offering a replacement is shutting doors on us,” said a student. “If CBSE cannot roll back, then at least give us a proper, accessible alternative.”
Conclusion
The controversy over CBSE’s decision is more than just a policy debate — it is a struggle for academic flexibility, career opportunities, and fairness. With thousands of students voicing their concerns, the Board now faces pressure to either reconsider the decision or introduce viable pathways to ensure students’ aspirations are not derailed.
As the September 30 deadline looms, the question remains: will CBSE listen to its students and uphold the promise of flexibility under NEP, or will thousands of aspirants be forced to alter their career paths overnight?
Also Read: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbse-private-students-on-elimination-of-additional-subjects-option-board-exam-2026-10251075
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