Tamil Nadu Govt. Scraps Board Exams for Class 11 Students

Tamil Nadu has scrapped Class 11 board exams from 2025-26 to reduce student stress. Only Class 10 and 12 board exams will be conducted under the new education policy.

TN Discontinues Class 11 Board Exams from 2025-26: Following the release of the Tamil Nadu School Education Policy (SEP) in August, the state school education department has formally called off Class 11 board examinations starting from the 2025-26 academic year. The objective of this decision is to reduce the academic pressure on students and streamline the examination process. As per the official order, students will now write board exams only in Classes 10 and 12 . The aim is to help students focus better on preparation for Class 12 and also relieve the burden of multiple board exams in their last year at school.

Students were evaluated through internal exams until the Class 11 board exams were established from the 2017–18 school year. The state will return to that old system now, where the school will have the authority to access and evaluate students’ Class 11 performance.

The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) also announced modifications in issuing mark certificates. With effect from this academic session, 11th class marks are to be omitted on integrated mark sheets. Instead, students will be issued certificates with only their Class 12 board exam results when they appear for their final examinations in March.

For students who have already appeared for Class 11 board exams and failed, the DGE has clarified that they can continue to appear for additional board exams for Class 11 till 2030 . This provision ensures that no student is harmed due to a sudden policy change.

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Most education experts have welcomed the move, describing it as progressive and one that would lower the stress levels of students by allowing them to focus on key academic years without worrying about exams. They also add that this is in line with the national push to make schooling more learner-centric and reduce examination-focused, as enshrined in the NEP.

With this change, Tamil Nadu joins a broader trend in Indian education to reduce repetitive examinations while maintaining academic standards. Students can now focus on holistic learning and key assessments that shape their higher education journey.

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