Atal Tinkering Labs Transition to Education Ministry; No Clarity on CBSE Board Exam Reforms

Earlier, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had announced that this system (CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board exams twice a year), will be introduced from the 2026-27 academic year.

The Department of School Education and Literacy will soon take over the management of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) from NITI Aayog, marking a significant shift in the administration of these innovation hubs. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, School Education and Literacy, confirmed this development but remained non-committal on the timeline for introducing two board exams a year under the CBSE.

Atal Tinkering Labs to Drive Innovation in Schools

Kumar revealed that the Atal Innovation Mission, currently under NITI Aayog, will now be managed by his department. “All the Atal Tinkering Labs in the country will now come under the school department. We aim to saturate all secondary and higher secondary schools with ATLs,” he said. However, Kumar did not elaborate on how this transition would be managed or the specific timeline for its implementation.

The initiative aims to provide students with opportunities to ideate, think creatively, and develop technology-driven solutions. “These labs will empower children to collaborate and innovate,” Kumar added, highlighting plans to establish School Innovation Councils to further foster creativity.

CBSE: Two Board Exams a Year in the Works

When asked about the implementation of conducting CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board exams twice a year, Kumar refrained from providing a specific update. “I can’t say anything right now,” he remarked. Earlier, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had announced that this system will be introduced from the 2026-27 academic year.

“The decision to conduct board exams twice annually will allow students to appear when they feel ready,” Pradhan said. He also outlined plans to introduce a semester system for Classes 11 and 12, aligning with NEP recommendations.

NEP: Five Years On

Reflecting on the fifth year of NEP implementation, Kumar acknowledged the progress made while emphasizing the ongoing nature of education reforms. “Education is a continuous journey. We have achieved a lot, but there is still much to do,” he said.

Kumar also highlighted the scale and complexity of India’s education system, which includes 1.47 million schools and serves 250 million children. “Innovations like ATLs and the reforms under NEP are crucial to making education inclusive and effective for all,” he said, stressing the importance of leveraging technology and partnerships to address challenges.

Read More:

• Record 331,600 Indian Students Enroll in US Universities Amid H-1B Visa Uncertainty Under Donald Trump’s Presidency
• THE Rankings by Subject 2025: Indian universities Show Mixed Results, IISc, Delhi University Stand Out in Law, Engg, MBA