Reframing Examinations as a Journey of Learning

This year, Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) in its ninth edition, has seen registrations reach an unprecedented level of 4.5 crorewith additional participation of 2.2 crore in PPC related activities.  Behind these numbers, is a story of a deep connection forged between the students, parents and teachers across the country with the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji.  In PPC 2023, the  Prime Minister said that “Pariksha Pe Charcha is my test too.

Crores of students… are taking my test… It is a great fortune for me to know what the young mind of my country thinks.” The initiative, itself, has transformed from a town-hall interactioninto a nationwide movement with innovative modes of engagement.Each edition has strengthened dialogue around examinations, mental well-being and life skills by responding to the changing realities and aspirations of learners.

February and March are synonymous withexaminations, but with their advent, often the stress begins to overshadow the true purpose of education. For decades, examinations have taken on a larger-than-life persona, even going so far as to define a child’s self-worth. The end of the academic year is over-ridden by dread and anxiety rather than being a celebration of achievement and fulfilment. 

For a Viksit Bharat, it is necessary that our children’s imagination soars with knowledge and experiential learning.  Pariksha Pe Charcha has sought to reshape how examinations are viewed by students, teachers and parents by emphasising that examinations are opportunities for learning and self-reflection.Open dialogue around the various themes has been instrumental in strengthening the relationships between students and teachers as well as students and parents.

Anchored in sensitivity and common-sense, the initiative provides space to express concerns and seek guidance on examinations and on life beyond marks. PPC is not just about words or advice that we wish to hear, an easy way to address issues.  Rather, the  Prime Minister has responded to real-life concerns with genuine solutions.  A good example is that of the relationship between parents and children which is as complex as it is simple. 

Time and again, he has urged families not to impose their own unfulfilled dreams on children, but instead to allow them to fly with their own aspirations. In 2024, Narendra Modi ji reminded parents that “Your words make your child’s world-encourage, don’t pressurise.”Teachers are the

mainstay of a student’s academic lifebut their role extends beyond curriculum delivery to one of personality development, advice and emotional stewardship.  While every human being is unique, our classrooms are often characterised by uniform expectations and excessive comparison, at the cost of ignoring learner diversity.

Teachers who recognise this individuality are better placed to lower anxiety and foster intrinsic motivation among students. Teacher-parent relationshipis another critical issue.  There was a time when these relationships were familialyet sometimes there is a perception of alienation or even of becoming adversarial.  Isolated efforts are not the most effective when it comes to child welfareand, thus, collective and shared

responsibility is the path towards holistic growth of the child. It is crucial that parents and teachers appreciate their vital roleas partners in a child’s academic and emotional development rather than as pressure-builders.

PPC is a Jan Andolan rooted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 philosophy.  NEP 2020, on its part, recommends that assessments be indicators of learning and progress and stresses on reducing the high-stakes nature of examinations.  Today, pedagogy is about joyful learning and classroom transactions encourageconceptual understanding and critical thinking.

The policy views student well-being and mental health as integral to meaningful learning. Naturally, these principles would result in an assessment strategy that is a holistic evaluation of a student’s competencies.

Translating this vision into practice, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)has notified the introduction of two Board Examinations for Class X from 2026. Students will now be permitted to appear in Board examinations on up to two occasions in a single academic year, one main examination and one for improvement, if desired. This measure is aimed to reduce the ‘high-stakes’ character of Board examinations, offergreater flexibility and choice to learners, and position assessment as an opportunity for improvement rather than pressure and elimination. 

Another reform, in pursuance of NEP 2020 objectives is to re-design assessment frameworks.  CBSE is giving importance to questions that evaluate the application of knowledge rather than recall alone. Similarly, NAS Parakh, is a national assessment initiative to comprehensively evaluate the progress of learners across stages. Physical, emotional and mental well-being contribute in equal measure to a joyful and meaningful life. 

Important issues of digital de-tox, cheating, competition, healthy routines, mindful practices, peer pressure, etc, have been addressed by the Narendra Modi ji to reinforce the idea that a composed mind is a student’s greatest strength, not only in the examination hall, but in life.  After all, skills developed to tackle examinations also prepare students to tackle other problems.  Handing pressure, learning from set-backs, resilience, discipline, tenacity and self-regulation will all help students in facing challenges beyond the school.

Pariksha Pe Charcha invites us to see examinations as an “Utsav” and as meaningful moments in a larger journey of growth. PPC seeks to build an enabling and empathetic ecosystem around studentsto ensure that their well-being is at the centre of the examination discourse.  The  Prime Minister captured the essence of PPC by stating in 2023 that, “Pariksha Pe Charcha aims to transform stress into success, enabling Exam Warriors to ace exams with a smile”. 

Prachi Pandey is Joint Secretary in Department of School Education and Literacy