The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is all set to commence the 2025 board examinations on Saturday, February 15, with more than 42 lakh students appearing for the exams. These examinations will be conducted across 7,842 examination centers in India and 26 countries worldwide, marking the beginning of an essential milestone for students in Class 10 and Class 12.
Record Number of Candidates: 42 Lakh Students to Appear for CBSE Board Exams 2025
This year, a total of 42,00,237 students are expected to appear for the exams, which reflects an increase of over 3 lakh candidates compared to last year’s 38,85,542 students. Of these, 24,12,072 students will sit for the Class 10 examinations across 84 subjects, while 17,88,165 students will appear for the Class 12 exams in 120 subjects.
The surge in the number of candidates can be attributed to various factors, including an increasing number of schools participating in the exams and growing student awareness about the importance of board exams. The exams are a key determinant for admission to various higher education institutions, which makes them a crucial step in students’ academic journeys.
Strict Entry Guidelines for Students
The CBSE has issued a detailed exam schedule, starting with the Class 10 English (Communicative) and English (Language and Literature) papers, and the Class 12 Entrepreneurship paper on the first day. These exams will be held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with students required to follow strict entry and exit rules.
Students are expected to report to their respective exam centers well before the start of the exam—by 10:00 AM at the latest—as late entry will not be permitted. They are also prohibited from exiting the exam room before the official end time of 1:30 PM. Regular students need to carry their admit cards along with their school ID cards, whereas private candidates must bring a government-issued photo ID. School uniforms are mandatory for regular students, while private candidates are advised to wear light-colored clothes to the examination center.
In a move to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of exams, the CBSE has imposed a strict ban on certain items within the examination centers. Students are prohibited from carrying mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, smartwatches, earphones, and microphones. Other banned items include wallets, handbags, goggles, and pouches. The inclusion of such strict measures reflects the board’s commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent exam environment for all candidates.
CBSE Implements Heightened Security Measures and CCTV Surveillance
This year, the CBSE has implemented heightened security measures across all exam centers. CCTV cameras have been installed in all examination rooms to monitor the conduct of the exams. The surveillance footage will be closely monitored by assistant superintendents, with one assistant per every 10 exam rooms. These measures aim to eliminate any possibility of cheating and ensure that students have a fair chance to perform based on their own abilities.
On the top of that, there will be two invigilators in each exam room, ensuring that students receive adequate attention during the exam. The Board has made it clear that any school found failing to provide the requested CCTV footage will be held responsible for any potential unfair practices, sending a strong message about the importance of academic integrity.
As the CBSE Board Exams 2025 begin, the board’s strict guidelines and enhanced security measures underline its commitment to ensuring that the exams are fair, transparent, and free from malpractice. With over 42 lakh students participating across multiple countries and examination centers, this year’s exams are a testament to the scale at which the CBSE operates. Students are advised to follow the guidelines carefully and approach their exams with confidence, as the results of these exams will significantly impact their future academic and career opportunities.
The CBSE exams will conclude for Class 10 students on March 18, and for Class 12 students on April 4, 2025, marking the end of this crucial period for students nationwide.