In a groundbreaking shift, West Bengal has become the first Indian state to adopt a full semester-based system for its Class 12 board examinations, beginning with the 2025–26 academic session. The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) announced the move on Wednesday, marking a significant departure from the traditional annual exam format that had been in place since 1978.
New Academic Format: What’s Changing
According to WBCHSE President Chiranjib Bhattacharya, students will now be evaluated through four semesters, each contributing to their final result. The third-semester exams are scheduled from September 8 to 22, and the fourth semester will be held between February 12 and 27.
Key features of the new system include:
- Shorter exam duration: Most papers will be 1 hour and 15 minutes long, except in subjects like music and vocational education.
- Mixed assessment style:
1st and 3rd semesters will focus on multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
2nd and 4th semesters will assess descriptive and short-form answers, aimed at enhancing writing and analytical skills.
- Cumulative scoring: Final marks will reflect performance across all semesters, encouraging consistent effort.
Curriculum Expansion: Embracing Future-Ready Subjects
In line with evolving educational trends, the WBCHSE is introducing new subjects, including:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Applied AI
- Science of Well-Being
These additions are designed to offer students greater flexibility and relevance, equipping them with skills aligned to modern careers and global education standards.
Options for Reappearing Students
Students who did not pass the 2024–25 Higher Secondary (HS) exams can opt into the new semester system—but only through their respective schools, the board clarified.
Class 12 Results Snapshot
The 2025 HS results were declared on May 7, with over 4.3 lakh of 4.7 lakh students passing the exams. Stream-wise performance:
- Science: 99.46% pass rate
- Commerce: 97.52%
- Arts: 88.25%
With this pioneering step, West Bengal is setting a precedent in school education reform, aligning assessment structures with continuous evaluation, interdisciplinary learning, and 21st-century skills development. Other states may soon follow suit.
