Structural Shifts in Skills and Technology: How 2026 Reshaped School Education

School education in India rarely changes overnight. Yet in 2025, reforms that had long moved through policy pipelines began surfacing simultaneously in classrooms, examination systems, and governance frameworks. Structural reorganisation, evolving assessment models, and deeper integration of technology unfolded together across boards and states. Rather than one headline reform, the year stood out for the cumulative impact of multiple transitions spanning structure, pedagogy, skills, and administration.

A New Structure for Schooling

India's school education system underwent a major structural reset in 2025. By September, most CBSE, state, and private schools began transitioning to the 5+3+3+4 framework, formally replacing the long-standing 10+2 system. Schooling is now organised into four stages: Foundational (ages 3 to 8), Preparatory (8 to 11), Middle (11 to 14), and Secondary (14 to 18).

Maharashtra, which first adopted the 10+2+3 structure following the Kothari Commission recommendations in the 1960s, witnessed this shift five decades after conducting its first Class 10 board examination in 1975. Educators say the transition has been largely smooth, particularly because pre-primary education has now been formally integrated into the schooling system.

Two Board Exams for Class 10

In July 2025, CBSE announced that Class 10 students could appear for two board examinations to improve scores in up to three subjects, including science, mathematics, social science, and languages. While the first examination remains compulsory, students may reappear in selected subjects during a second window.

The board said the move aims to reduce exam-related stress and the dominance of coaching culture, with the possibility of modular examinations in the future. However, teachers have questioned the practical benefits, noting that the limited gap between exam windows may not allow sufficient time for improvement. Several state boards, meanwhile, continue to follow a single board examination model.

Moving Beyond Rote Learning

A decisive shift away from rote memorisation gathered pace in 2025. CBSE revised its examination pattern so that up to 80 percent of the Class 10 board paper now focuses on competency-based questions that test application, analysis, and conceptual understanding.

Similar changes are being rolled out across state boards, alongside reduced-content and competency-based curricula for Classes 7, 9, and 11. Teachers report that textbook-based question patterns are being replaced by concept-driven learning, requiring students to demonstrate deeper understanding rather than factual recall.

Schools and the Skill Economy

Skill-based and vocational education gained significant momentum across boards. CBSE made vocational exposure mandatory from Class 6, while the Union education ministry announced plans to introduce skill-based subjects at the Class 11 and 12 levels.

Schools expanded structured programmes in areas such as communication, coding, robotics, and financial literacy. Educators note that universities and employers increasingly expect students to demonstrate adaptability, problem-solving ability, and transferable skills in response to rapid technological and economic change.

Testing the Teachers

A Supreme Court ruling on September 1, 2025, placed the Teacher Eligibility Test at the centre of education reform. Invoking Article 142, the court declared TET a constitutional requirement linked to the right to quality education. Public sector teachers with more than five years of service remaining were given two years to clear the exam with at least 60 percent marks, failing which they could face compulsory retirement or termination.

The decision sparked protests across multiple states, particularly among senior teachers. Critics highlighted the historically low pass rates of the TET and warned of large-scale job losses in an already understaffed system. Teacher groups argued for differentiated evaluation standards for experienced educators to balance accountability with stability.

Other Key Reforms

Among other changes in 2025, artificial intelligence and computational thinking were introduced into the curriculum from Class 3 onwards. Schools began adopting holistic progress cards that assess co-curricular skills, attitudes, and overall development in addition to academic performance.

The year also saw the establishment of PARAKH, a national body tasked with standardising assessments and monitoring learning outcomes. Digital education platforms such as DIKSHA and PM e-VIDYA continued to expand, supporting blended and remote learning models.

Persistent Challenges

Despite wide-ranging reforms, foundational learning gaps remain a major concern. The Annual Status of Education Report highlighted low reading proficiency among early-grade students in government schools. Shortages of qualified teachers, especially in rural areas, and limited training in NEP-aligned pedagogy continue to hinder implementation.

Additionally, uneven adoption of reforms across states, driven by policy variations, teacher resistance, and the need for regional language adaptation, has slowed the overall pace of change.

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This release was published on openPR.