The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board examinations for 2026 have sparked debate after the Class 12 Physics and Class 10 Mathematics papers were perceived by many students as unusually difficult and lengthy. In response to these concerns, educator Prashant Kirad and associates have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking official action on the matter.
Mixed Reactions to CBSE Class 12 Physics Paper
The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam 2026, conducted for more than 18 lakh candidates, received contrasting responses from students and teachers. Some students described the paper as tough due to its extensive numerical sections and time-intensive questions. However, many educators assessed the paper as moderate to easy, balanced across concepts and derivation-based questions aligned with the syllabus. The paper was held in the standard morning shift and followed CBSE’s prescribed format, with a mix of multiple-choice, numerical, and long-answer questions. Opinions on difficulty varied regionally and individually, underscoring the subjective nature of board exam assessments.
Class 10 Maths Controversy Adds to Dispute
Similar concerns emerged in the CBSE Class 10 Mathematics exam, where competency-based and case study questions were reported as challenging by students and educators. Many learners struggled with time management and complex problem types not easily reflected in sample papers, leading to stress and disappointment. The combined reaction from board examinees has fuelled broader criticism over fairness and consistency in paper setting.
PIL Filed by Educator for Lenient Measures
In light of mounting dissatisfaction, Prashant Kirad, an educator with a significant online following, has filed a PIL against CBSE. The petition calls for lenient answer checking, grace marks for students who faced unusually tough question sets, and uniform difficulty levels across all question sets of the board exams. Critics argue that while paper difficulty can vary, significant disparities between different regional sets or between subjects may unfairly affect students’ performance and final scores. The PIL aims to push for official clarification and administrative action on these concerns.
CBSE Policy on Difficult Papers and Moderation
The CBSE has mechanisms like moderation and mark normalization to account for variations in paper difficulty across different sets. These can include adjusting marks and providing grace marks to ensure fairness in scoring and achieving passing standards. Moderation policies are typically applied after careful evaluation of overall performance data and exam patterns, and are aimed at maintaining equity in the final grading process.
What Candidates Should Expect Next?
Students awaiting results are advised to monitor official CBSE announcements for updates on scoring, moderation policies, and result release dates. Meanwhile, discussions around paper difficulty and exam fairness are likely to continue as petitions and public feedback shape discourse on board exam standards. The outcome of the PIL and any policy response from the CBSE will be closely watched by students, parents, and educators involved in the 2026 board examinations.
