CBSE to Reinstate Punjabi in Board Exams Amidst Outcry

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) faced criticism from Punjab leaders after Punjabi was allegedly omitted from a board exam draft. CBSE plans to reintroduce Punjabi next year, as Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and others demand its inclusion as a core language in a diverse educational policy.

In a swift response to an outcry from political leaders in Punjab, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) pledged to reinstate the Punjabi language in the board's examination scheme next year. The controversy erupted after Punjabi was reportedly excluded from a draft exam format for biannual board evaluations.

CBSE senior officials emphasized that current subject offerings remain unchanged, assuring that Punjabi will be integrated into future draft schemes. Their clarification comes after Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains criticized the board for omitting Punjabi, sparking debates about language representation in educational mandates.

Prominent figures like Akali Dal's Parambans Romana echoed concerns of a broader conspiracy against Punjabi language inclusion. The draft list of regional languages provoked further tension, omitting Punjabi while including others such as Sanskrit and Marathi, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision for education reform from the 2025-26 academic session.