In a big shift in educational policy, the central government has scrapped the "no-detention policy" for students in classes 5 and 8 who fail to pass their year-end exams. Under this new rule, students who do not clear their exams will now be held back, impacting over 3,000 central government schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools.
The decision marks a reversal of a 2019 amendment to the Right to Education Act. According to the new rule, students who fail to meet the promotion criteria will be given a second opportunity to pass within two months. The government has issued an official gazette notification outlining the process.
If a student does not meet the promotion standards, they will be provided with additional instruction and a chance for re-examination. This will occur within two months from the announcement of exam results. However, if the student fails again in the re-examination, they will be held back in their current grade, either class 5 or class 8.
The notification further emphasizes that no student will be expelled before completing their elementary education. Teachers will also play a key role in helping students catch up on any learning gaps, especially for those who are held back.
Although education policy is largely managed by state governments, the central government’s recent decision follows the actions of 16 states and two union territories, which have already discontinued the "no-detention policy" for students in these classes. This shift reflects a growing trend toward revising educational approaches to better suit the needs of students and educators alike. However, several states and union territories, including Haryana and Puducherry, have not yet made a decision, while others are continuing with the policy.
The Ministry of Education has stated that since school education is a state subject, each state has the autonomy to decide whether or not to adopt this change.
The abolition of the no-detention policy is viewed as a step towards improving accountability and academic rigor in schools. By reintroducing exams or assessments, the policy aims to ensure students are meeting essential learning benchmarks. This move also underscores the government’s efforts to strike a balance between flexibility in evaluation methods and the need for strong, measurable learning outcomes.