New Delhi, October 18, 2025 – In a significant step toward unifying India’s fragmented school education system, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced the formation of an expert committee under its National Assessment Centre, PARAKH. The panel, comprising education specialists, policymakers, and assessment experts, has been tasked with developing comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that Class 10 and 12 certificates from all school boards align seamlessly with key national frameworks, including the Right to Education (RTE) Act, National Curriculum Framework (NCF), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms.
This initiative aims to establish full equivalence between certificates issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and those from state, private, and international boards, addressing longstanding disparities that have hindered fair access to college admissions and competitive entrance exams like JEE, NEET, and CUET. The move is part of the broader vision outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes holistic, equitable, and standardized assessments to foster a truly national education ecosystem.
India’s school education landscape is a mosaic of over 60 boards, including central bodies like CBSE and ICSE, alongside diverse state boards such as Maharashtra State Board and Tamil Nadu Board. While this diversity reflects regional cultural and linguistic nuances, it has long created inequities. Students from non-CBSE boards often face mark deductions—sometimes up to 15%—during university admissions or government job applications, even if their academic performance is comparable. This “equivalence penalty” disproportionately affects students from rural and government schools, many of whom attend state-affiliated institutions serving low-income families.
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) previously handled equivalence certifications, but a September 2025 government notification shifted this responsibility to NCERT via PARAKH, replacing the 2021 AIU mandate. PARAKH, established in 2023 as India’s first national assessment regulator, was designed to bridge these gaps by promoting standardized curricula, teacher training, and evaluation protocols across boards. Building on this, the new committee—expected to include representatives from NCTE, RTE implementation bodies, and NCF drafters—will conduct a rigorous audit of existing board practices.
The expert panel, slated to convene its first meeting next month, will focus on three core pillars: alignment, equivalence, and enforcement. Key objectives include:
Education Ministry officials described the committee as a “game-changer,” stating, “This robust mechanism will uphold the highest standards, making education a level playing field for every child, regardless of their board.” The panel’s work is expected to culminate in a national framework by mid-2026, with pilot implementations in select states.
The announcement has elicited widespread praise from educators and student advocates, though some urge faster action.
Dr. Vyjanti Thakur, a curriculum expert from the NCF drafting committee, hailed the move as “long overdue.” “Equivalence isn’t just about numbers—it’s about validating diverse learning journeys. Aligning with RTE will ensure no child is left behind due to systemic biases,” she said in an exclusive interview.
Biswajit Saha, Director of CBSE, echoed this sentiment: “PARAKH’s standardization will elevate the entire ecosystem, making it more qualitative and student-centric.” Student organizations like the All India Students’ Association (AISA) welcomed the focus on fair admissions, noting that it could reduce the “coaching dependency” plaguing state board students in competitive exams.
However, critics point to implementation challenges. Praveen Kumar, principal of a Delhi government school, cautioned, “State boards vary wildly in resources—rural Uttar Pradesh isn’t Maharashtra. SOPs must include capacity-building funds, or this risks widening gaps.” International board representatives, such as those from Cambridge Assessment, expressed cautious support but called for consultations to preserve global alignments.
This development reinforces NEP 2020’s transformative agenda, shifting from exam-centric to skill-based education. By fostering inter-board parity, it could boost national mobility, with projections estimating a 10-15% rise in equitable admissions by 2027. Economically, standardized certificates may enhance employability, aligning school outputs with industry needs under NSQF.
As India marks the fifth anniversary of NEP, the PARAKH committee symbolizes a commitment to “one nation, one education standard.” For students dreaming of IITs or Ivy Leagues, these SOPs promise not just equivalence, but true opportunity.
This report is based on official NCERT notifications and stakeholder insights. For updates, follow NCERT’s PARAKH portal at ncert.nic.in/parakh.
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It's encouraging to see such an initiative aimed at bringing greater equity and standardization to India's education system. Ensuring that certificates from all boards are on equal footing could make a huge difference in reducing the barriers to entry for students from different educational backgrounds. I'm curious how the committee will handle the practicalities of implementing these SOPs across such a diverse set of boards.