J&K Govt Orders Schools to Conduct Class 8th Annual Exams In-House
Srinagar, Oct 12: In a significant shift in the examination system, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all schools across the Union Territory to conduct Class 8th annual examinations in-house beginning with the 2024–25 academic session. The new policy, part of the government’s broader education reforms, focuses on strengthening competency-based assessments and ensuring that evaluations reflect students’ real understanding rather than rote memorization.
The move comes through Government Order No. 629-JK(Edu) of 2025, dated October 11, 2025, issued by Secretary School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma (IAS). The order marks a major step toward implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes continuous, child-centered learning and holistic evaluation.
Under the revised system, all government and recognized private schools will conduct Summative or Annual Examinations for Class 8th within their own institutions. The process will be supervised by Cluster or Complex Heads to maintain uniformity and fairness. This decentralization aims to make assessments more relevant to each school’s learning environment while maintaining oversight through local educational clusters.
Officials from the School Education Department told ProKashmiri that the purpose of the move is to “empower schools to take ownership of students’ progress while ensuring that no child is left behind.” The government has also emphasized that this structure will help teachers identify learning gaps more effectively and provide targeted support to weaker students through remedial teaching and supplementary attempts.
To ensure transparency and standardization, District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) will play a crucial role in coordinating and monitoring the entire process. They will be responsible for maintaining data of all students, providing academic support, and overseeing the conduct of the in-house examinations through Cluster Heads.
The order also directs SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) and DIETs to organize training programs for teachers. These training sessions will cover the design of competency-based question papers, the use of Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs), and the adoption of modern evaluation methods in line with NEP 2020. Teachers will be encouraged to move beyond traditional testing and focus on assessing problem-solving skills, conceptual clarity, and practical understanding.
In a notable change, schools will now be required to prepare common question papers that highlight learning areas where students performed poorly in the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 report. This initiative will help teachers concentrate on improving outcomes in subjects or topics that showed lower achievement levels across districts.
The Director School Education has been tasked with preparing the overall exam schedule and monitoring its implementation. As per the order, schools in Summer Zones must declare their results before March 20, while those in Winter Zones are to announce results before October 25. The next academic session will commence from April 1 in Summer Zones and November 1 in Winter Zones, ensuring a uniform academic transition across the Union Territory.
Furthermore, the School Education Department has instructed schools to strengthen Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) to ensure ongoing communication about students’ performance. Regular PTMs are expected to become a core part of the new system, helping parents remain informed about their children’s progress and learning challenges.
Education experts have largely welcomed the government’s decision, saying it reflects a more flexible, inclusive approach to evaluation. “In-house assessments allow schools to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their students in real time. When teachers themselves prepare and evaluate the exams, the process becomes more meaningful and personalized,” said an education consultant based in Srinagar.
However, some stakeholders have urged the government to ensure that all schools — especially those in rural and remote areas — receive adequate training and resources to conduct these assessments effectively. They also stressed the importance of consistent monitoring to maintain credibility and fairness across districts.
The latest reform aligns with a series of measures introduced by the J&K School Education Department over the past year to enhance learning outcomes, bridge academic gaps, and promote continuous evaluation. With this order, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to making education more adaptive, competency-based, and equitable for every learner in Jammu and Kashmir.
FAQs
Q1: What does the new order say about Class 8th exams in Jammu and Kashmir?
The order mandates that all government and recognized private schools will conduct Class 8th annual exams in-house, under the supervision of Cluster or Complex Heads, starting from the 2024–25 session.
Q2: Why did the government change the Class 8th exam system?
The change aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to make assessments more competency-based, student-focused, and reflective of actual learning instead of rote memorization.
Q3: Who issued the order and when?
The order was issued by Secretary School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma (IAS), under Government Order No. 629-JK(Edu) of 2025, dated October 11, 2025.
Q4: What role will DIETs and SCERT play in this process?
DIETs will collect and manage student data, coordinate implementation, and monitor exams through Cluster Heads. SCERT and DIETs will also train teachers in setting competency-based papers and using Holistic Progress Cards.
Q5: Will schools have to follow any specific guidelines for question papers?
Yes. Schools are directed to prepare common question papers that address weaker areas identified in the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 report to improve overall learning levels.
Q6: When will results be declared?
Results will be declared before March 20 in Summer Zone schools and before October 25 in Winter Zone schools.
Q7: When will new classes start under the revised schedule?
The new academic session will start from April 1 in Summer Zones and November 1 in Winter Zones.
Q8: What steps has the government taken to ensure fairness in these exams?
The exams will be supervised by Cluster or Complex Heads, and DIETs will oversee data and conduct to maintain fairness and transparency.
Q9: Will there be support for students who fail to qualify?
Yes. The order specifically mentions remedial teaching and supplementary attempts to help all students successfully progress to Class 9.
Q10: How will parents be kept informed about their children’s performance?
Schools have been directed to strengthen Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) to regularly share progress and address academic concerns.
