The two-month delay in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board exams has caused a cascading impact on higher education in 2021, and study-abroad options. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board which usually happens during April month is now held from 4 May to 10 June and results were declared by 15 July in 2021.
The cancellation of class XII CBSE exams in 2020, has left students worried. Students believe that the alternative assessment process will have an impact on their higher education prospects, especially for those who are planning to go abroad for studies. Students who plan to study in Countries like the US and Canada, use predictive scores in offering admission to undergraduate degrees and won’t face any problems. The new academic calendar is going to be challenging for students planning to study abroad. However, the educational consultancies are quite affirmative that countries like the UK, USA, Canada, etc may give some relaxation to Indian students for the academic session that begins in June/ July. One of the major reasons is that foreign students, especially Indians, are an important asset to the universities in these countries as they hugely impact the education sector of the country. Also, according to statistics, every year more than 1.90 Lakhs Indians students pursue higher education from universities in the US. Overwhelmed students who aspire to study overseas wrote letters to CBSE Board over delays in exams.
Many students found alternative options. However, 65% of Indian undergraduates and 59% of postgraduates who have, and 59% of postgraduates who had planned to study in the UK said they are not likely to cancel.