West Bengal Embraces Semester System for Plus Two Education

West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education will implement a semester-based system for the next academic year 2025-26. Semester exams will vary in format with MCQs, SAQs, and DQs to enhance thinking and writing skills. New subjects like AI and data science have been introduced.

West Bengal is set to transition fully to a semester-based education system at the higher secondary level in the 2025-26 academic year. This marks a significant shift in the state's educational framework since 1978.

According to Council President Chiranjib Bhattacharya, the new format includes a third semester examination running from September 8 to 22, with a one-hour-and-15-minute duration for most subjects. The fourth semester will occur from February 12 to 27, with grades cumulatively evaluated from both semesters. This revised schedule offers students greater course flexibility and introduces groundbreaking subjects such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

New assessment techniques will be employed, with semester-specific formats: semesters one and three will focus on multiple-choice questions (MCQs), while semesters two and four emphasize short and developmental questions to maintain students' writing prowess. Additionally, programs like BOOTSTRAP aim to advance students' skills in computer-based subjects.

(With inputs from agencies.)