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2026 Supreme(Online)(Ker) 26705
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
BECHU KURIAN THOMAS, J
ZAYAN P S – Appellant
Versus
THE CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (CBSE) – Respondent
WP(C) NO. 5252 OF 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: SHRI.SREEHARI INDUKALADHARAN
For the Respondents: SHRI.NIRMAL.S, SHRI.AJITH S., SMT.MAYURI A. NAIR, SHRI.MUHAMMED OWAIS
CBSE students qualifying Mathematics-Basic can opt for Standard in compartment exams if pursuing higher math.
Headnote:The petitioner, a minor student, sought correction of an erroneous subject entry in the examination application from ‘Mathematics - Basic’ to ‘Mathematics - Standard’ for the All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) 2026, citing preparation for the standard level and future academic jeopardy. CBSE circular dated 10.01.2019 (Ext.R1(l)) provides that students qualifying in Mathematics-Basic may opt for Mathematics-Standard in compartment exams if pursuing it at Senior Secondary level. The Court found the petitioner's apprehension unfounded as the option exists upon meeting eligibility criteria. The key issue was whether the petitioner could rectify the subject mistake post-application and appear for Mathematics-Standard. The Court relied on the CBSE circular, noting it clearly stipulates the option for compartment exams, thus no preemptive correction was needed before the main exam. The Court directed respondents 2, 3, and 4 to enable the petitioner to write the ‘Mathematics - Standard’ examination in AISSE 2026 upon satisfying the criteria in the circular dated 10.01.2019. The writ petition is disposed of.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. student seeks correction of exam subject entry mistake. (Para 1 , 2) |
| 2. cbse circular allows standard math in compartment. (Para 3 , 5) |
| 3. court directs permission upon meeting criteria. (Para 4 , 6) |
JUDGMENT
Petitioner is a Xth standard student, studying at the 4th respondent school, which is affiliated to the CBSE. Aggrieved by an erroneous entry regarding the subject, for All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) 2026, petitioner has approached this Court seeking appropriate remedies.
2. The gist of the allegations as pleaded in this writ petition reveal that, though petitioner prepared himself to write the subject ‘Mathematics – Standard’ for the Xth standard examination, inadvertently a mistake was committed while filling the application, listing the subject as ‘Mathematics – Basic’ instead of ‘Mathematics – Standard’. As a result, the petitioner was identified as a student writing ‘Mathematics – Basic’. According to the petitioner, the same is a mistake and needs to be corrected, as otherwise, petitioner’s future itself will be in jeopardy.
3. A statement has been filed by the respondents, wherein it is specified that the petitioner still has the option to appear for Mathematics- Standard, despite the mistake provided he complies with the eligibility criteria as per the relevant circulars. The eligibility criteria according to the respondents are as specified in Ext.R1(l).
4. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Standing Counsel for respondents.
5. Petitioner has already written the ‘Mathematics -Basic’ for the 10th standard examination. The writ petition was filed even before the examination commenced. However, this Court did not pass orders granting any benefit to the petitioner on the basis of the submissions of the learned Standing Counsel for CBSE that petitioner will have an option at a later stage, to attempt to write the subject ‘Mathematics – Standard’.
As per Ext.R1(l), circular dated 10.01.2019, the following is specified :
“A student who qualifies the Mathematics-Basic, shall be given an option to appear in Mathematics-Standard at the time of Compartment exams as per norms of the Board, in case he/she changes his/her mind to pursue Mathematics at Senior Secondary level.”
6. The above specification clearly stipulates that petitioner will have the option to appear for ‘Mathematics – Standard’ on satisfying the criteria. In view of the above, the apprehension that the petitioner will not have an opportunity to attempt to write the ‘Mathematics – Standard’ examination is without any basis. The petitioner still apprehend that respondents may not permit him to appear even after satisfying the criteria. Hence, in view of the apprehension of the petitioner, I am satisfied that an order should be issued directing the respondents to permit the petitioner to write the ‘Mathematics – Standard’ examination on him satisfying the criteria.
Accordingly, there will be a direction to respondents 2, 3 and 4 to initiate appropriate steps to enable the petitioner to write ‘Mathematics – Standard’ examination for the Xth standard AISSE, 2026 on satisfying the criteria fixed as per the circular dated 10.01.2019, produced as Ext.R1(l).
The writ petition is disposed of.
