CBSE Begins ‘Saksham Assessment’ for Classes 6–9 to Evaluate Real Subject Understanding
CBSE Launches Saksham Assessment for Classes 6–9 to Measure Students’ Conceptual Understanding
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially begun the Saksham Assessment for students of classes 6 to 9, starting today. This new evaluation system has been introduced to understand how well students are able to grasp concepts rather than depend on memorisation. Conducted under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the assessment aims to promote meaningful learning and reduce the long-standing focus on rote learning across schools.
According to CBSE, the Saksham Assessment will serve as a competency-based evaluation, designed to check whether students can practically understand and apply what they study. The board has already issued detailed guidelines and instructions to schools to ensure smooth conduct of the exam.
Mandatory Assessment Under NEP 2020
With the implementation of NEP 2020, CBSE is gradually transforming classroom teaching and evaluation methods. The new policy emphasizes analytical skills, conceptual clarity, and real-life application of knowledge. In line with these objectives, the Saksham Assessment has been made mandatory for the academic session 2025–26.
The exam will be conducted entirely in pen-and-paper mode, and students from classes 6, 7, 8 and 9 will participate. CBSE has also clarified that the assessment will be available in both Hindi and English, allowing schools to conduct the tests in the preferred medium of instruction.
Apart from guidelines, the board has released a detailed examination schedule, specifying the dates for each subject and class.
Assessment Schedule Across Classes 6 to 9
The subject-wise exams under the Saksham Assessment began on 8 December. On the first day, class 9 students appeared for their Science paper. The schedule continues with Language on 9 December and Mathematics on 10 December for class 9.
For class 6 students, the exam pattern is more spread out. They will appear for Environmental Science on 11 December, followed by Language on 15 December and Mathematics on 16 December.
The evaluation focuses on how effectively students understand concepts rather than how well they memorize them. The questions are designed to analyze their reasoning ability, comprehension power, and real-life application of lessons taught in classrooms.
CBSE highlights that the main objective of the Saksham Assessment is to reduce memorisation-based learning and promote deep conceptual learning. By identifying the actual competency levels of students, schools can offer improved academic support and personalized learning interventions where required.
Schools Will Evaluate Their Own Students
CBSE has stated that the Saksham Assessment will not function as a competitive exam. Instead, each school will evaluate only its own students’ performance. The board has provided a dedicated link through which schools must download the OMR sheets a day before the exam and print them for use.
Importantly, the marks obtained in the assessment will not be sent to CBSE. Schools will internally observe, analyze, and maintain the performance records of their students. The goal is to help teachers understand areas where students are strong or need improvement.
CBSE emphasizes that the assessment is not intended to burden children. Instead, it is a tool to improve their learning journey, enhance their foundational skills, and provide teachers with insights to refine classroom strategies.
