Serious concerns over the quality of school education in India have emerged after a government school inspection in Haryana's Nuh district revealed that many Class 8 students struggle with basic spelling and addition skills, while some senior secondary students are unable to read simple English sentences or write basic applications. The findings have reignited the debate over foundational learning, classroom accountability, and the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

During a visit to the Government Senior Secondary School in Bhadas, Congress MLA Mamman Khan, who studied there until Class 5, interacted with students from middle and higher secondary classes. The inspection uncovered significant learning gaps that educators say reflect a wider challenge facing government schools across the country.

While speaking with Class 8 students, Khan found that several children struggled to read from their textbooks, spell common words correctly, and perform simple addition problems. These are considered basic competencies expected to be mastered in primary school, making the findings particularly concerning.

The situation was even more alarming among senior students. According to Khan, a Class 12 student was unable to read a single sentence in English and could not draft a simple leave application. The incident raised questions about how students with weak foundational skills continue progressing through the education system without adequate academic support.

The inspection also highlighted concerns about classroom practices and teacher monitoring. Many student notebooks were found to be blank or contained only a few pages of work. Several notebooks lacked teacher signatures, corrections, or regular feedback, indicating limited classroom supervision and inconsistent academic evaluation.

Teachers present during the inspection attributed the poor learning outcomes to regional and linguistic challenges in the Mewat region, suggesting that improving educational standards would require sustained efforts. However, Khan rejected these explanations, stating that the current level of learning was unacceptable after years of schooling.

"After spending so many years in school, students should not be unable to read, write, or perform basic mathematics. This reflects a complete breakdown of teaching and monitoring. If immediate action is not taken, the future of an entire generation will be at risk," he said.

The findings have also brought renewed attention to the Right to Education Act, under which students are automatically promoted up to Class 8. Although recent amendments allow students in Classes 5 and 8 to be detained if they fail year-end examinations even after a re-test, children in Classes 1 to 4 continue to receive automatic promotion. Education experts argue that this often allows learning gaps in literacy and numeracy to accumulate over several years.

Attendance records also came under scrutiny during the visit. Khan pointed out discrepancies between official registers and classroom attendance. In one class, more than 70 students were listed as enrolled, but only around 30 were present during the inspection.

Responding to the findings, Nuh Deputy Commissioner Akhil Pilani said that 355 of the school's 689 enrolled students were present on the inspection day. He confirmed that the district administration has directed the school and the education department to improve attendance and learning outcomes by involving the School Management Committee (SMC), parents, teachers, and the local community.

The incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, improve classroom monitoring, and ensure accountability in government schools so that students acquire essential learning skills before progressing to higher classes.

Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) continue to be among the most sought-after schools for parents in the Delhi-NCR region due to their affordable fees, strong academic standards, and nationwide curriculum. With around 46 Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi, along with schools in Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad, parents preparing for Class 1 admissions should understand the eligibility criteria, admission priorities, and application process.

Kendriya Vidyalaya network in Delhi-NCR

Delhi-NCR has an extensive network of Kendriya Vidyalayas serving students across the region.

Besides approximately 46 KVs in Delhi, schools are located in:

• Noida and Greater Noida: Sector 24, Greater Noida, Dadri and Surajpur
• Ghaziabad: Hindon Air Force Station, Kamala Nehru Nagar, Muradnagar and Babugarh Cantonment
• Gurugram: Sector 14, Sohna Road, Kadarpur and Manesar
• Faridabad: Sector 3, NH-4 and nearby areas

The schools are distributed across clusters to improve accessibility for families living in different parts of the National Capital Region.

Who gets priority in KV admissions?

Admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas follow a prescribed priority order.

Priority is generally given to:

1. Children of Central Government employees and ex-servicemen
2. Children of employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and State Government departments
3. Other eligible applicants, subject to seat availability

Additionally, 25% of seats are reserved for children belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under the provisions applicable to KV admissions.

Class 1 eligibility

For Class 1 admission, children must be between 6 and 8 years of age as on March 31, 2026. Parents should verify their child's eligibility before submitting an application.

How to apply

Admissions to Class 1 are conducted online through the official Kendriya Vidyalaya admission portal.

For Class 2 and above, admissions are generally conducted offline and depend on the availability of vacant seats in the respective schools.

Documents required

Parents should keep the following documents ready while applying:

• Birth certificate of the child
• Proof of residence
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Service certificate of parents (where applicable)

Tips for parents

Before applying, parents should:

• Check the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya and seat availability.
• Understand the admission priority categories.
• Ensure all supporting documents are accurate and up to date.
• Submit the application within the notified schedule to avoid missing deadlines.

With a structured admission process and a wide network of schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas remain a preferred choice for families seeking quality school education across the Delhi-NCR region.

Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) continue to be among the most sought-after schools for parents in the Delhi-NCR region due to their affordable fees, strong academic standards, and nationwide curriculum. With around 46 Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi, along with schools in Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad, parents preparing for Class 1 admissions should understand the eligibility criteria, admission priorities, and application process.

Kendriya Vidyalaya network in Delhi-NCR

Delhi-NCR has an extensive network of Kendriya Vidyalayas serving students across the region.

Besides approximately 46 KVs in Delhi, schools are located in:

• Noida and Greater Noida: Sector 24, Greater Noida, Dadri and Surajpur
• Ghaziabad: Hindon Air Force Station, Kamala Nehru Nagar, Muradnagar and Babugarh Cantonment
• Gurugram: Sector 14, Sohna Road, Kadarpur and Manesar
• Faridabad: Sector 3, NH-4 and nearby areas

The schools are distributed across clusters to improve accessibility for families living in different parts of the National Capital Region.

Who gets priority in KV admissions?

Admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas follow a prescribed priority order.

Priority is generally given to:

1. Children of Central Government employees and ex-servicemen
2. Children of employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and State Government departments
3. Other eligible applicants, subject to seat availability

Additionally, 25% of seats are reserved for children belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under the provisions applicable to KV admissions.

Class 1 eligibility

For Class 1 admission, children must be between 6 and 8 years of age as on March 31, 2026. Parents should verify their child's eligibility before submitting an application.

How to apply

Admissions to Class 1 are conducted online through the official Kendriya Vidyalaya admission portal.

For Class 2 and above, admissions are generally conducted offline and depend on the availability of vacant seats in the respective schools.

Documents required

Parents should keep the following documents ready while applying:

• Birth certificate of the child
• Proof of residence
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Service certificate of parents (where applicable)

Tips for parents

Before applying, parents should:

• Check the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya and seat availability.
• Understand the admission priority categories.
• Ensure all supporting documents are accurate and up to date.
• Submit the application within the notified schedule to avoid missing deadlines.

With a structured admission process and a wide network of schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas remain a preferred choice for families seeking quality school education across the Delhi-NCR region.

Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) continue to be among the most sought-after schools for parents in the Delhi-NCR region due to their affordable fees, strong academic standards, and nationwide curriculum. With around 46 Kendriya Vidyalayas in Delhi, along with schools in Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad, parents preparing for Class 1 admissions should understand the eligibility criteria, admission priorities, and application process.

Kendriya Vidyalaya network in Delhi-NCR

Delhi-NCR has an extensive network of Kendriya Vidyalayas serving students across the region.

Besides approximately 46 KVs in Delhi, schools are located in:

• Noida and Greater Noida: Sector 24, Greater Noida, Dadri and Surajpur
• Ghaziabad: Hindon Air Force Station, Kamala Nehru Nagar, Muradnagar and Babugarh Cantonment
• Gurugram: Sector 14, Sohna Road, Kadarpur and Manesar
• Faridabad: Sector 3, NH-4 and nearby areas

The schools are distributed across clusters to improve accessibility for families living in different parts of the National Capital Region.

Who gets priority in KV admissions?

Admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas follow a prescribed priority order.

Priority is generally given to:

1. Children of Central Government employees and ex-servicemen
2. Children of employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and State Government departments
3. Other eligible applicants, subject to seat availability

Additionally, 25% of seats are reserved for children belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under the provisions applicable to KV admissions.

Class 1 eligibility

For Class 1 admission, children must be between 6 and 8 years of age as on March 31, 2026. Parents should verify their child's eligibility before submitting an application.

How to apply

Admissions to Class 1 are conducted online through the official Kendriya Vidyalaya admission portal.

For Class 2 and above, admissions are generally conducted offline and depend on the availability of vacant seats in the respective schools.

Documents required

Parents should keep the following documents ready while applying:

• Birth certificate of the child
• Proof of residence
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Service certificate of parents (where applicable)

Tips for parents

Before applying, parents should:

• Check the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya and seat availability.
• Understand the admission priority categories.
• Ensure all supporting documents are accurate and up to date.
• Submit the application within the notified schedule to avoid missing deadlines.

With a structured admission process and a wide network of schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas remain a preferred choice for families seeking quality school education across the Delhi-NCR region.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the Class 10 Second Board Examination Result 2026, marking the first year of the two-board examination system introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With the inclusion of the second examination results, the overall pass percentage has increased to nearly 96.8%, significantly higher than the 93.7% pass rate recorded in the main board examination.

The second examination offered students an opportunity to improve their scores or clear compartment subjects, reinforcing CBSE's shift toward a more flexible and student-friendly assessment model.

60% Students Improved Their Scores

According to CBSE, nearly 5.1 lakh students appeared for the Class 10 improvement examination.

Of these:

• Around 3.1 lakh students (nearly 60%) secured higher marks than they had in the main board examination.
• Students will receive the better score from the two attempts in their final marksheet.

The provision allows students to improve their academic performance without the pressure of a single high-stakes examination.

Compartment Pass Percentage Improves

The second examination also provided an opportunity for students placed in the compartment category.

CBSE reported that:

• 1.5 lakh students appeared in the compartment examination.
• 78,503 students passed, resulting in a 52.4% pass percentage.
• The compartment pass rate has improved from around 48.7% in 2025.

The increase reflects better student performance under the revised examination framework.

First Year of CBSE's Two-Board Exam System

The 2026 academic session marks the first implementation of the two-board examination system for Class 10, introduced as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Under the new structure:

• The main board examination is mandatory.
• The second board examination is optional.
• Students can retain the higher score obtained across the two examinations.
• The final marksheet reflects the best performance rather than the average of both attempts.

The main board examinations were conducted from February 17 to March 11, 2026, while the second board examinations were held between May 15 and May 21, 2026.

CBSE Says Policy Reduces Exam Pressure

A CBSE official said the new system is designed to ensure that a single examination does not determine a student's academic future.

"Students can retain the higher score obtained across the two attempts, ensuring that a single exam does not determine their final performance. The policy is intended to promote competency-based assessment, reduce dependence on high-stakes testing and coaching, and provide greater academic flexibility."

The reform aligns with NEP 2020's objective of promoting conceptual understanding, continuous learning, and reduced examination stress.

How to Check CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result 2026

Students who appeared for the second examination can access their results through the DigiLocker Results Portal.

CBSE has also:

• Shared school-wise results with affiliated schools via their registered email addresses.
• Made digital academic documents available through the CBSE digital repository, which students can access using credentials already provided through their schools.

The introduction of the two-board examination system is expected to provide students with greater flexibility while encouraging competency-based learning and reducing dependence on a single examination.

In a major move aimed at regulating private school fees, the Punjab Government has capped the annual fee increase in private unaided schools at 5%, following the approval of the Punjab Regulation of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The ordinance came into effect immediately after its announcement by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The new law applies to around 7,800 private unaided schools catering to nearly 32 lakh students across the state. It not only limits annual increases in tuition fees but also covers transportation charges, building fees and all other amounts collected from parents, which will now be treated as part of the overall fee.

To enforce the regulation, the state government will constitute district-level regulatory committees, headed by Deputy Commissioners, to review fee hikes implemented by schools over the past four years. Schools have been directed to upload their fee details on a dedicated online portal within 10 days, after which the committees will complete an audit within 90 days.

Announcing the ordinance, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Punjab has become the first state to require private schools to refund fees collected beyond the prescribed limit. According to the government, if a school has increased its fees by more than 15% over the last three years, the excess amount must be returned to parents.

The ordinance also introduces strict penalties for non-compliance. Schools violating the new regulations will face a fine of ₹50,000 for the first offence, ₹1 lakh for the second violation, and could ultimately face de-recognition or de-affiliation after a third violation.

Mann said the objective of the ordinance is to prevent the commercialisation of education and make quality education more affordable for families. He alleged that previous governments had allowed private institutions to impose arbitrary and excessive fee hikes, placing a financial burden on parents.

Referring to Supreme Court guidelines on school fee regulation, the Chief Minister said educational institutions cannot operate for profit by collecting charges through multiple heads. The ordinance seeks to ensure greater transparency by treating any amount collected from parents—regardless of its description—as a fee, bringing all charges under a single regulatory framework.

The Punjab government's latest initiative is expected to significantly impact private school fee structures in the state while strengthening oversight and consumer protection for parents. The implementation of the ordinance will be closely monitored as regulatory committees begin auditing schools in the coming months.