Delhi High Court Seeks CBSE Response on Allowing Calculators in Class XII Board Examinations
The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Union Government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking permission for Class XII students to use basic, non-programmable calculators in board examinations.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma issued notice to the concerned authorities on November 4, 2026. The authorities have been given six weeks to submit their responses. The National Assessment Centre, PARAKH, is also among the respondents in the petition.
PIL Seeks Calculator Permission for Accountancy and Mathematics
The petition has been filed by Vishal Dua, a resident of Pitampura, along with 10 other parents, through advocate Nitin Mangla.
The petitioners have requested the court to direct CBSE to permit basic, non-programmable calculators in the Class XII Accountancy examination. They have also sought the formation of an expert body to examine whether calculators should be allowed in Mathematics examinations.
According to the petition, students spend a considerable amount of examination time performing lengthy calculations manually. The petitioners argue that this leaves them with less time to demonstrate their conceptual understanding and application of subject knowledge.
Petition Refers to CBSE's 2024 Calculator Proposal
The petitioners have referred to discussions within CBSE in November and December 2024 concerning the use of calculators in board examinations.
They contend that CBSE's Curriculum Committee had recommended allowing basic calculators in Class XII Accountancy examinations and that the proposal was subsequently placed before the Board's Governing Body. However, the petition claims that the recommendation has not been implemented.
The official minutes of CBSE's 140th Governing Body meeting in December 2024 record a decision to ratify the Examination Committee's recommendation to constitute an expert committee to examine the subjects in which basic calculators may be permitted. The minutes also record concerns about possible unfair means and the logistics of providing calculators.
Parents Seek Extension of Calculator Facility
The petition also seeks an extension of the existing calculator facility available to students with dyscalculia to other categories of students with disabilities.
The petitioners have argued that permitting calculators under regulated conditions would give students more time to focus on conceptual understanding rather than lengthy arithmetic calculations. They have also referred to the emphasis on conceptual learning and higher-order thinking under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
Will CBSE Allow Calculators in Class XII Board Exams?
The Delhi High Court has only sought responses from the concerned authorities at this stage. It has not directed CBSE to permit calculators in Class XII board examinations.
The final decision will depend on the court proceedings and the responses submitted by CBSE and other authorities. Until any formal change is announced by CBSE, students should follow the existing examination instructions and rules.
FAQs
1. Has the Delhi High Court allowed calculators in CBSE Class XII board examinations?
No. The court has issued notice and sought responses from the concerned authorities. It has not permitted calculator use.
2. Which calculators are being requested by the petitioners?
The petition seeks permission for basic, non-programmable calculators.
3. In which Class XII subjects are calculators being requested?
The petition seeks calculator permission for Accountancy and requests an expert examination of the issue for Mathematics.
4. Who filed the PIL?
The petition was filed by Vishal Dua and 10 other parents through advocate Nitin Mangla.
5. Which authorities have been asked to respond?
The Union Government, CBSE, NCERT and PARAKH have been named in the proceedings.
6. How much time has the Delhi High Court given the authorities to respond?
The authorities have been given six weeks to submit their responses.
7. Does CBSE already have a proposal regarding calculator use?
CBSE's December 2024 Governing Body minutes record a decision to constitute an expert committee to examine the use of basic calculators in different examination subjects. This does not amount to a general permission for students to use calculators.
8. Can students carry calculators to the upcoming CBSE Class XII examinations?
Students should not assume that calculators are permitted. They must follow the official CBSE examination instructions unless the Board announces a change.
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