Delhi High Court seeks response on use of calculators in Class 12 examinations

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Central Government and other authorities on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding that specially-abled students be permitted to use basic and non-programmable calculators in Class 12 board examinations. A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Vasudev Somwar and Justice Sanjay Sharma has issued notices to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Central Government, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and 'PARAKH' (National Assessment Centre). The court has granted all parties 8 weeks to present their side and file a response. The next hearing of this case is scheduled for January 2, 2027.

Filed by Vishal Dua and several parents, the petition demands that the calculator facility, currently available only to students suffering from 'dyscalculia' (inability to understand mathematical concepts), be expanded to other categories of specially-abled students based on their needs. The petitioners argued that performing long and complex calculations in subjects like Mathematics and Accountancy wastes precious time for students. They contended that if permitted to use calculators, students could focus more on the core concepts and their understanding of the subject rather than losing time in manual calculations.

During the hearing, the petitioners' counsel stated that in a Governing Body meeting held in December 2024, the CBSE had expressed agreement on the use of calculators in Accountancy examinations. According to a report by The Hindu, the curriculum committee had also approved this proposal in November 2024, noting that current restrictions impose an additional 'cognitive load' (mental burden) on students. The committee described this step as a long-overdue initiative in line with the National Education Policy 2020. However, no formal notification has been issued nor has it been implemented. The petitioners stated that a representation was made to the authorities in August 2026 for the implementation of this proposal, but no response was received.

The petitioners have requested the court to direct the CBSE to constitute an expert committee to examine the use of calculators in Mathematics and grant this exemption to specially-abled students other than those with dyscalculia. On the other hand, the counsel for the CBSE present in court stated that the matter is currently under consideration and sought time to obtain instructions from the Board.

Meanwhile, in other academic news, IIT Delhi has announced major reforms for the mental health of students. Following the tragic death of a student in August 2026, the institution will now recruit more clinical psychologists and counselors based on the recommendations of an inquiry committee headed by retired judge Justice Mukta Gupta. According to NDTV India, the institution will now prioritize the mental health and well-being of students.

In a separate incident, the body of a dead monkey was found in the water tank of Hostel No. 7 at Assam Engineering College (AEC) in Guwahati, causing 43 to 54 students to fall ill. According to an NDTV report, students complained of a foul smell in the water and exhibited symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting, and fever. Some students were taken to the Government Ayurvedic College Hospital. College Principal Dr. Amrita Ganguly stated that the tank has been cleaned and the mess has been shifted to other hostels, while Hospital Principal Dr. Pranab Jyoti Baishya confirmed that 54 students were treated. Due to this incident, the upcoming CAT examinations for the students had to be postponed.