GraphPaperHome / For parents
For parents
Plain answers for parents of children in Classes 1 to 8, taken from official documents. Each answer says where it comes from.
How school is divided
The National Education Policy 2020 (paragraph 4.1) splits school into four stages:
Foundational: ages 3 to 8, three years of pre-school and then Classes 1 and 2.
Preparatory: Classes 3 to 5, ages 8 to 11.
Middle: Classes 6 to 8, ages 11 to 14.
Secondary: Classes 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18, in two phases: Classes 9 to 10 and Classes 11 to 12.
The policy says these are teaching stages, so schools do not have to change their buildings or split into separate schools (paragraph 4.3). Source: NEP 2020.
Foundational: ages 3 to 8, three years of pre-school and then Classes 1 and 2.
Preparatory: Classes 3 to 5, ages 8 to 11.
Middle: Classes 6 to 8, ages 11 to 14.
Secondary: Classes 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18, in two phases: Classes 9 to 10 and Classes 11 to 12.
The policy says these are teaching stages, so schools do not have to change their buildings or split into separate schools (paragraph 4.3). Source: NEP 2020.
Are there board exams?
CBSE board exams are for Classes 10 and 12. The NEP says "Board exams for Grades 10 and 12 will be continued" (paragraph 4.37). There is no CBSE board exam in Classes 1 to 8.
The NEP also says all students "will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which will be conducted by the appropriate authority" (paragraph 4.40). What your child's school actually sets in the other years is the school's own decision, so ask the school. Source: NEP 2020.
The NEP also says all students "will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which will be conducted by the appropriate authority" (paragraph 4.40). What your child's school actually sets in the other years is the school's own decision, so ask the school. Source: NEP 2020.
What if a child does not pass?
For years, the rule was no child could be held back in Classes 1 to 8. On 21 December 2024 the Ministry of Education changed the rule for Classes 5 and 8, but only for schools run or controlled by the Central Government (such as Kendriya Vidyalayas) and for schools run by Union Territories without a legislature.
In those schools, a child who fails the year-end exam gets extra teaching and a re-exam within two months of the results. Only if the child still does not meet the promotion rules is the child kept in the same class. The class teacher is to work with the child and parents on the gaps. The Ministry also says no child can be expelled before finishing elementary education.
For every other school, the state or union territory decides. The Ministry's release says some states have allowed holding back, while others, including Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, continue with no holding back from Class 1 to 8. If your child is in a private or state-run school, ask the school which rule it follows. Source: Ministry of Education press release, December 2024.
In those schools, a child who fails the year-end exam gets extra teaching and a re-exam within two months of the results. Only if the child still does not meet the promotion rules is the child kept in the same class. The class teacher is to work with the child and parents on the gaps. The Ministry also says no child can be expelled before finishing elementary education.
For every other school, the state or union territory decides. The Ministry's release says some states have allowed holding back, while others, including Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, continue with no holding back from Class 1 to 8. If your child is in a private or state-run school, ask the school which rule it follows. Source: Ministry of Education press release, December 2024.
What is a Holistic Progress Card?
It is a report card that records more than marks. It has space for input from the child, classmates and parents as well as the teacher, so it is described as a "360-degree" view of how a child is doing, and it focuses on what the child can do at that age.
In December 2023, CBSE issued two sample cards for its schools: one for the foundational years before Class 1, and one for Classes 1 and 2. Schools may use them as they are or change them. NCERT's assessment unit, PARAKH, says it has finished cards for the foundational, preparatory and middle stages. Whether your child's school uses one is the school's choice, so ask. Sources: CBSE notification, 27 December 2023, CBSE guide for teachers on the card, PARAKH, NCERT.
In December 2023, CBSE issued two sample cards for its schools: one for the foundational years before Class 1, and one for Classes 1 and 2. Schools may use them as they are or change them. NCERT's assessment unit, PARAKH, says it has finished cards for the foundational, preparatory and middle stages. Whether your child's school uses one is the school's choice, so ask. Sources: CBSE notification, 27 December 2023, CBSE guide for teachers on the card, PARAKH, NCERT.
Questions worth asking your child's school
Books: does the school use NCERT books, or books from another publisher? You can find every NCERT book for each class on GraphPaper.
Tests: how often are there tests, and what counts towards the year-end result?
Report card: does the school use the Holistic Progress Card?
Holding back: which rule does the school follow for Classes 5 and 8?
Age for Class 1: the minimum age differs by state or union territory, so confirm it with the school or your state education department before applying.
Tests: how often are there tests, and what counts towards the year-end result?
Report card: does the school use the Holistic Progress Card?
Holding back: which rule does the school follow for Classes 5 and 8?
Age for Class 1: the minimum age differs by state or union territory, so confirm it with the school or your state education department before applying.
Sources and how up to date this is
Last checked: 21 October 2026. Rules can change, so treat the official documents as final. GraphPaper is not an official website and does not speak for CBSE, NCERT or the Government.
National Education Policy 2020 (full text)
Ministry of Education: amended detention policy, Dec 2024
CBSE notification on the Holistic Progress Card
CBSE Holistic Progress Card guide for teachers
PARAKH, NCERT
National Education Policy 2020 (full text)
Ministry of Education: amended detention policy, Dec 2024
CBSE notification on the Holistic Progress Card
CBSE Holistic Progress Card guide for teachers
PARAKH, NCERT