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In a major reform aimed at standardising education, the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has directed that all schools in the state must use only authorised textbooks from the 2026–27 academic session. The order applies to government, aided, and private institutions alike, with strict action warned against the use of any unauthorised books.

Issued under the provisions of the Intermediate Education Act, the move seeks to ensure uniformity in curriculum delivery and improve the overall quality of education. Officials said the decision is intended to create a transparent system where all students have access to the same standardised study material, regardless of the type of school they attend.

As part of the directive, authorised textbooks have been made mandatory for core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science for Classes 9 and 10. For senior secondary classes (11 and 12), prescribed books have been implemented across 36 subjects. Notably, around 70 textbooks published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training have been adopted across the state to align learning with national standards. In addition, 12 selected books have been finalised for language subjects including Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu.

To ensure compliance, district and divisional authorities have been instructed to closely monitor schools. Awareness campaigns and book orientation camps will also be organised to help students and parents identify the correct textbooks.

The government has further assured that authorised books will be made available at affordable prices. Printing and distribution responsibilities have been assigned to three designated agencies to ensure smooth supply.

The initiative is expected to streamline academic practices across Uttar Pradesh, reduce confusion caused by multiple book sources, and provide students with consistent and reliable learning material.

The Central Board of Secondary Education is expected to announce Class 10 results for 2026 earlier than usual, potentially by mid to late April instead of the traditional May schedule. The anticipated shift is driven by major structural changes in the examination system, including a new two-phase format and expanded digital evaluation processes.

This year marks the introduction of a two-exam system for Class 10. The first phase was conducted from February 17 to March 6, while an optional second phase is scheduled between May 5 and May 20. Students are allowed to improve their scores in up to three subjects, with the best marks considered final. However, those absent in three or more subjects in the first phase will not be eligible for the second attempt. The revised format has created the need for quicker result declaration to allow students sufficient time for admissions and preparation.

To support this accelerated timeline, CBSE has significantly scaled up digital evaluation. Answer sheets are now assessed through on-screen marking, reducing errors and speeding up processing. Integration with DigiLocker will enable students to access their marksheets quickly, even during heavy website traffic, using a secure six-digit PIN provided by schools.

The move aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises flexibility and reduced exam stress. Early results will allow students to proceed with Class 11 admissions without waiting for the second phase, while also giving those dissatisfied with their performance an opportunity to improve scores in May.

Looking at past trends, CBSE recorded a 93.60% pass rate in 2025, with girls outperforming boys and southern states leading in performance. The board also continued its no-toppers policy to reduce unhealthy competition.

If successful, this early result model could become a permanent feature. However, any logistical challenges or concerns over increased academic pressure may prompt CBSE to recalibrate the system in future years.

The Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) shift to competency-based exams under the 2026–27 framework marks a clear departure from India’s long-standing rote-driven assessment model. The focus is no longer on what students remember, but on how effectively they can apply what they know.

From Recall to Real-World Application

Traditional exams have historically measured memorisation—rewarding students who reproduce textbook content in time-bound settings. Errors are penalised, and feedback is largely limited to marks.

Competency-based assessments, by contrast, evaluate whether students can analyse, interpret, and solve problems in unfamiliar contexts. The emphasis is on mastery, with continuous feedback guiding improvement rather than merely judging performance.

How the Models Compare

What It Means in CBSE Classrooms

For Classes 9–12, CBSE has redesigned board exams to include:

• 40% objective questions (MCQs)
• 10% short/long subjective responses
• 50% competency-based questions

Additionally, internal assessments—such as projects, portfolios, and peer reviews—carry significant weight, reinforcing real-life application over theoretical recall.

The introduction of bi-annual board exams further reduces high-stakes pressure, allowing students multiple chances to improve performance.

The Big Shift

This transition signals a deeper philosophical change. Exams are no longer endpoints but part of a continuous learning process. Success is defined less by marks and more by the ability to think critically, solve problems, and adapt knowledge to real-world situations.

If implemented effectively, competency-based exams could address one of India’s most persistent education gaps: the disconnect between academic learning and practical capability.

Searching for Lucknow's top ICSE school in Mahanagar?  The search for Lucknow's top ICSE school ends at Dr Virendra Swarup Public School (VSPS), offering educational programs from Playgroup to Class 12. Located at Acharya Narendra Marg, this English-medium institution operates under the motto "Real Life, Real Knowledge, Real People."

About VSPS Mahanagar

Established in 2001, VSPS Mahanagar expanded the Virendra Swarup educational system which now operates at five locations throughout Lucknow. Principal Mrs. Meenu Srivastava leads with a vision of academic perfection alongside extracurriculars and sports. The school mission develops independent and confident citizens through its collaboration with parents.

Core philosophy: Happy learning environments which appreciate individual learning styles. The school uses ICSE affiliation to provide students with academic programs that employ advanced teaching methods and modern classroom facilities and information technology systems. The school secures its premises through three security systems which include CCTV cameras, GPS-enabled buses, and RFID monitoring systems.

VSPS Curriculum 

VSPS implements ICSE syllabus requirements through its customized educational programs. Playgroup introduces alphabets and numbers through play-based activities which use toys and storytelling. Primary students develop their English and Hindi and Math and EVS skills through nature walks and multimedia activities. Middle school splits sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology through computer-based research projects. Senior students can choose to study Science or Commerce or Economics or Fashion Design or Technical Drawing.

 Dr Virendra Swarup Public School provides continuous training programs for educators which help them develop their English-speaking and writing skills. The passing marks are 55% which exceeds the ICSE requirements by 5%. The assessment process includes four-term evaluations which assign 10% weightage to the first term, 30% to the second term and 50% to the final term.

Infrastructure 

• Academic: The institution provides smart classrooms and internet-enabled computer labs and a library that contains CDs and audiovisual materials and 3D models.
• Sports: The facility includes football and cricket fields together with basketball and badminton and table tennis and an athletics track. The taekwondo and swimming and chess programs have professional coaches.
• Creative: The facility contains an auditorium and an open-air theatre and activity rooms that support music and dance and cookery and robotics activities.
• Infirmary: Biannual health checkups
• Secure Campus: The school prioritizes security and has CCTV, GPS buses, and RFID tracking. Apart from these, the school canteen serves healthy snacks ensuring students get fresh and good food. 

Campus Life and More

The campus life at Dr Virendra Swarup Public School balances 60% academics with 40% co-curriculars ensuring the student is learning as well as growing well becoming a holistic human. Dramatics and folk dance together with vocal and instrumental music and embroidery and fashion designing create opportunities for creative expression. The inter-house competitions develop students' skills in debate and elocution and quiz and science model competitions.

The Student Council selects Head Boy and Head Girl through elections which involve four houses that develop leadership skills. The annual sports meets present running champion trophies as awards. Special assemblies honor ICSE toppers who achieved high scores in 2022.

Moreover, the games committee at VSPS organizes sports events which involve both intra-school and inter-school competitions. The professional coaching program develops students into hockey stars and chess champions. The cultural programs include fabric painting and clay modeling and group discussions. The certificates recognize students who achieve exceptional performance.

Academic Achievements & Assessment

Qualified faculty deliver innovative teaching. Centralized exams ensure quality. Progress reports issued four times yearly. Self-study, reference work, internet projects foster independence. Maximum English focus prepares global communication.

Faculty and Student Support

The principal with her extensive experience supervises teachers undergoing pedagogy workshops. With the maintenance of a low teacher-student ratio, the school ensures all the students get personalized attention from their teachers. All the faculty members are mindful and ensure to foster strong student-teacher bonds helping the child build a good personality as well as mindset.  

Who Should Take Admission in VSPS Mahanagar Lucknow

• Mahanagar residents seeking best ICSE school in Mahanagar, Lucknow
• Parents who want holistic education
• Class 1-10 students who need to build their English skills together with their science knowledge
• Commerce and Science stream Class 11-12 students who are preparing for competitive exams
• Families who want their children to participate in student council activities
• Parents who value the safety of their children as much as they value the school  environment. 

Who Should NOT Take Admission in VSPS Mahanagar

• IB and international board seeking students
• Parents seeking Montessori and play-based learning methods.
• Families with low budget for school education 
• Parents seeking a contemporary classroom setup not a traditional one. 
• Class 12 dropouts because the focus at VSPS isn’t on bridge courses.

To conclude, with full CCTV coverage, RFID student tracking, GPS-enabled transport, Dr Virendra Swarup Public School is one of Lucknow's safest campuses. If you are a parent of gen alpha, someone switching schools, or seeking a better school, VSPS delivers proven excellence. 

For more information, connect with the school directly through mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at  0522-4021882.

April 1 marks the start of the new academic year however CBSE schools are encountering a problem they did not anticipate as there are no Class 9 textbooks aligned with the new curriculum framework. Since there have been neither physical nor digital books, teachers throughout the nation are in a dilemma on how to start the academic year.

It is the publications of textbooks based on the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF-SE 2023) that is at the heart of the matter. This framework is envisioned to introduce competency-based and inquiry-driven methods of learning. NCERT had initially informed that the new books would be available by March 2026, but that deadline has since elapsed and the books have not been delivered.

School principals mention that the hold-up has caused a great deal of confusion at a very important time. As the session is on the verge of starting, the teaching staff is at loss as to what to teach on day one without the aid of a well-organized textbook. Some principals have voiced their worries about organizing lessons, pointing out that even digital versions of the textbooks have not been made available.

Meanwhile, lots of schools have already made plans to use the 80-page draft syllabus that was made public earlier this year. The draft sets forth main themes, concepts, and desired learning outcomes for the three core subjects - Science, Mathematics, and Social Science. Even though it serves as an overarching guide, teachers point out that it falls short of delivering the richness and well-organized textbook-like format. Education changes can be very large scale and take quite a long time, especially when you want to ensure a very good quality of teaching and learning (politics policies logistics, etc.). So, it is perfectly reasonable that if you change the entire education system or curriculum, you should also consider changing textbooks and other learning materials as well.

The proposed curriculum takes a step back from transmission of disconnected facts and instead moves towards a more holistic and contextualized way of learning. For instance, Math will feature new subjects such as coordinate geometry, probability, and linear equations but at the same time will emphasize Indian mathematicians like Brahmagupta and Madhava. Likewise, the Science syllabus will cover major themes like cell biology, motion, and energy besides mentioning Indian contributions to science. Social Science through one single integrated course will be a combination of subjects like history geography political science, and economics. Among various facets of the NCF-SE 2023, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) inclusion stands out. It is a step towards making education relevant to a student's own cultural and intellectual heritage. At the same time, teachers feel that it will be really hard to implement these ideas without textbook support.

Currently, schools are likely to use the draft framework and additional resources as a make-shift arrangement so as to minimise disruptions. However, the postponement has revealed a recurring issue in India's education reforms story - visionary policies but poor on-ground delivery.

As CBSE pushes ahead with curriculum transformation, the coming weeks will test how effectively schools can adapt in the absence of one of their most basic tools: the textbook.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has provisionally approved the launch of 'Nigam Shri Schools', an innovative programme that intends to turn municipal schools into elite institutions providing free of cost education to their brightest students from economically weaker backgrounds. The blueprint of this scheme has been prepared after PM Shri schools of the Centre and CM Shri schools of the Delhi government. The emphasis is laid on providing the best education along with facilities of the latest infrastructure.

The project was allowed in the meeting that was headed by the Education Committee Chairman Yogesh Verma. The education department's senior officials were present too. According to the staff, the programme aims at making municipal schools equal to the top schools by providing an environment that promotes both excellent performance in studies and all round development of the students.

Besides new schools, the civic administration has given green signal for Rs 45 crore which is allocated for repairing and maintaining the existing infrastructure of municipal schools. The money will be invested in fundamental works like the upkeep of washrooms, repair of deteriorated structures, and addition of amenities at a basic level so as to provide a good environment that is conducive to learning.

The committee took a look at things like the Mid-Day Meal scheme, which is a student welfare effort and instructed a totally severe action against the NGOs who were found negligent in not meeting the food quality standards. The officials went on to clarify that the financial aid for uniforms and stationery which was overdue has now been given directly to the students' accounts.

In the initial phase, 24 schools will be uplifted through the Nigam Shri Schools program and the first batch of these schools is expected to get operational at the start of the next academic year. They will also include smart classrooms, digital learning devices, libraries that are well-stocked, better sanitation facilities, safe drinking water, enhanced security, and upgraded sports amenities. The officials mentioned that this step will not only provide students with access to quality education but also enable the identification of student talents for fostering higher education opportunities.