Delhi High Court Considers Allowing Calculators in Class XII Exams

The Delhi High Court has recently acknowledged a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) advocating for permits for students to use basic, non-programmable calculators during Class XII board examinations in Accountancy and Mathematics. This request was discussed by a Division Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma, which has called for responses from various educational authorities, including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

The petition has been brought forward by Vishal Dua, a resident of Pitampura, representing himself and ten other parents. Their primary argument is that students are compelled to spend extensive time on manual calculations, which diminishes the time available to demonstrate their comprehension of the subject matter. In particular, the petition mentions that the CBSE's Curriculum Committee had approved the use of basic calculators during its 70th meeting on November 25 and 26 in 2024, yet implementation of this decision has not occurred.

The document states, 'The plain fact is that CBSE's own Curriculum Committee has already approved this change in writing, in its own official record in November 2024.' Despite this approval, the parents contend that no steps have been taken to notify or execute the recommendation, indicating a lack of transparency and action from the CBSE over an extended period.

Furthermore, the petitioners argue that this inaction by the CBSE constitutes arbitrary behaviour under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. They draw comparisons with other examination boards, such as the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations and the Cambridge International Examinations, both of which allow calculators under specific regulations.

The PIL is filed through advocate Nitin Mangla and highlights that the ongoing prohibition on calculators for a broader category of students with disabilities is unjust, especially when students diagnosed with Dyscalculia currently enjoy this privilege. The petitioners seek the establishment of an expert committee to evaluate the potential for allowing calculators in the respective subjects and to extend calculator access to other categories of disabilities. They also noted that a prior representation submitted on August 17, advocating for the proposal's implementation, has not received a response.

The Acting Chief Justice and Justice Sharma have directed the authorities involved to provide their replies within six weeks, highlighting the judicial system's role in addressing educational concerns in the region.