Tamil Nadu Scraps Class 11 Board Exams Starting This Year

Speedy Summary

• Tamil Nadu has scrapped board exams for Class 11 from the 2025-26 academic year.
• The decision was announced by the State’s School Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, on Friday, August 8, 2025.
• This change aligns with Tamil Nadu’s State Education Policy – School Education released by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.
• The School Education Department Secretary, B. Chandra Mohan, confirmed the implementation of this policy starting this academic year.
• Board exams for Class 11 were introduced in 2017 during the AIADMK government era but faced criticism for putting consecutive mental stress on students in Classes 10,11,and 12.

Indian Opinion analysis

The removal of Class 11 board exams marks a significant shift in Tamil Nadu’s education framework under its new State Education Policy. It appears aimed at alleviating undue academic pressure on students who already face examinations during Classes 10 and 12. This policy addresses previously raised concerns about the cumulative mental health effects of three successive public exams highlighted by critics like M.K. Stalin when he was Opposition leader.

By eliminating these exams and streamlining assessments to focus on critical milestones like Classes 10 and 12 boards instead of intermediate-level tests (Class 11), there is a clearer attempt to integrate student well-being into policymaking frameworks.However, impacts such as adjustments required for college admissions or long-term outcomes remain points requiring close monitoring to ensure balance between easing stress and maintaining evaluative rigor.

Read more: Tamil Nadu scraps class XI board exam under new school education policy