Delhi High Court Seeks CBSE, NCERT Response on Calculator Use in Class 12 Board Exams

The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and the Central government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking permission for students to use calculators in Class 12 board examinations.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma issued notices to the authorities on November 4, 2026. The respondents have been given six weeks to submit their replies.The petition seeks permission for students to use basic, non-programmable calculators in the Class 12 Accountancy examination. It has also requested an expert-level assessment of whether calculators should be permitted in Mathematics examinations.

According to reports, the PIL was filed by Vishal Dua, a resident of Pitampura, on behalf of himself and 10 other parents. Advocate Nitin Mangla is representing the petitioners. The National Assessment Centre (PARAKH) is also among the respondents.

Why Are Parents Seeking Calculator Permission in CBSE Board Exams?

The petitioners have argued that students appearing for Accountancy and Mathematics examinations spend considerable time solving lengthy numerical calculations manually.They contend that this reduces the time available for students to demonstrate their understanding of concepts, analytical abilities and practical application of subject knowledge.

According to the plea, allowing basic calculators would help students concentrate on solving problems and applying concepts rather than spending a significant part of the examination completing routine arithmetic calculations.The petitioners have specifically requested permission for basic, non-programmable calculators in Accountancy. For Mathematics, they have proposed that an expert committee examine the feasibility of allowing calculators before any policy decision is taken.

CBSE Committee Had Approved Calculator Proposal in 2024

An important argument raised in the petition relates to an earlier recommendation by CBSE's Curriculum Committee.The committee had approved a proposal to permit basic, non-programmable calculators in Class 12 Accountancy examinations during its 70th meeting, held on November 25 and 26, 2024.

The proposal was subsequently placed before the CBSE Governing Body in December 2024. The petitioners have argued that the recommendation has not been formally implemented through examination guidelines.The issue has therefore resurfaced before the Delhi High Court, with parents seeking clarity on the board's position regarding calculator use.

Petition Cites NEP 2020 and National Curriculum Framework

The petitioners have also referred to the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.They argue that calculator use would support the emphasis on conceptual understanding, critical thinking and higher-order thinking skills rather than excessive dependence on manual calculations and rote learning.

The parents believe that examination practices should provide students with adequate opportunities to demonstrate their subject knowledge and analytical skills.

Plea Seeks Calculator Facility for More Students with Disabilities

Another important demand in the PIL concerns students with disabilities.The petitioners have requested that the existing calculator facility available to students diagnosed with dyscalculia be extended to other eligible categories of students with disabilities.

They have argued that restricting the facility to a limited category of students requires reconsideration and have sought appropriate directions from the court.The petition also refers to a representation submitted to the concerned authorities on August 17, 2026, seeking implementation of the calculator proposal and a formal response. The petitioners claim that their representation did not receive a satisfactory response.

What Happens Next? Delhi HC Seeks Replies Within Six Weeks

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the concerned authorities and provided them six weeks to submit their responses.The court proceedings will examine the issues raised in the PIL, including calculator permission in Accountancy, the proposed expert assessment for Mathematics and the extension of calculator facilities to students with disabilities.

The matter remains under consideration, and the court has not issued a final order permitting calculators in Class 12 board examinations.

Will Calculators Be Allowed in CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2027?

No new general permission has been announced through this court order.Students appearing for the CBSE Class 12 board examinations should continue following the existing examination instructions unless CBSE issues an official notification revising its calculator policy.

The High Court's notice is an important development, but it should not be interpreted as confirmation that all Class 12 students can use calculators in the 2027 board examinations.