JKBOSE Syllabus Relaxation: Big Update from Board Official, Check Here
Srinagar, 26 September: The debate over syllabus relief for school students in Jammu and Kashmir has turned into one of the biggest education stories of the year. Just weeks ago, the Directorate of School Education in Jammu formally asked the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) to reduce the syllabus for Classes 10th, 11th and 12th by 15–20 per cent or to introduce “open choice” in question papers. Now the Board has said it is still too early to make any such announcement.
In August 2025 the Directorate sent a letter to JKBOSE after consulting all Chief Education Officers of the winter zone districts. The letter explained that different schools have covered different portions of the syllabus because of long closures and irregular classes. Instead of removing certain topics; which could leave some schools at an advantage and others at a disadvantage; the Directorate proposed a uniform reduction or flexible question papers for all.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo also agreed that normal classes had been hit. Schools were closed during Operation Sindoor, a war-like situation that created security restrictions across several districts, and later by flood-like conditions and a prolonged heat wave. Many parents and teachers believed this had left students struggling to complete their syllabus before the annual exams.
But Secretary JKBOSE Ghulam Hassan Sheikh has taken a more cautious approach. He said the Board would decide only after the academic session ends and officials can see how much of the syllabus has been completed. “This is not the right time to decide,” he said, adding that there is still more than a month for schools to finish their courses.
He confirmed that the annual regular examinations will likely begin in early November 2025, with Class 10th papers first and Classes 11th and 12th following soon after. The Board is collecting data on how many days schools remained closed because of security and weather so that any decision will be based on facts, not assumptions.
The last date for students to submit their exam forms without late fee was 19 September 2025. With a late fee, forms can be submitted until 29 September 2025. According to the Board, about 99.5 per cent of students have already filed their forms. The full date sheet for the exams will be released a few days after the form process closes.
Textbooks for the new academic session are also being prepared. Printing is expected to finish by 20 November 2025, and the Board says it will begin distributing the books to schools immediately afterwards so that students receive them before winter vacations.
This back-and-forth has left students, parents and teachers uncertain about how to prepare for the exams. If the syllabus is cut, students may be able to focus on fewer topics. If “open choice” is introduced, they could skip questions from sections they have not studied. But if no relief is granted, students will have to finish the entire syllabus on their own.
Teachers’ associations have urged the government to take a decision soon to reduce anxiety and give everyone a clear roadmap for preparation. For now, however, the Board has chosen to wait and watch.
All eyes are now on JKBOSE. In the coming weeks the Board will review the data on syllabus completion, school closures and feedback from different stakeholders. Only after that will it announce whether there will be a 15–20 per cent reduction, open-choice papers, or no change at all. Until then, the official line is that it is “too early to decide.”
FAQs
Q1: Has JKBOSE officially reduced the syllabus for Classes 10th, 11th and 12th?
No. The Board has not yet announced any syllabus reduction or open-choice option. It has said it is too early to decide.
Q2: Why did the Education Department ask for a syllabus cut?
Because frequent school closures due to Operation Sindoor, floods and heat waves left many schools unable to complete their syllabus.
Q3: What options were suggested by the Directorate?
Either a 15–20 per cent syllabus reduction for everyone or “open choice” in question papers so students can skip certain questions.
Q4: When will the Board exams begin?
Tentatively in early November 2025, starting with Class 10th followed by Classes 11th and 12th.
Q5: What are the deadlines for exam form submission?
Without late fee: 19 September 2025. With late fee: 29 September 2025.
Q6: When will the date sheet be released?
A few days after the process of exam form submission ends.
Q7: What about textbooks for the new session?
Printing should be finished by 20 November 2025 and distribution will start immediately afterwards so books reach schools before winter vacations.
Q8: Will students definitely get relief?
That decision has not been taken yet. The Board will review the situation at the end of the session and then announce its final plan.
