Odisha Government Issues New Guidelines for Class V and VIII Exams Under NEP 2020 Framework

The State School and Mass Education Department of Odisha has released a fresh set of guidelines for conducting annual examinations and evaluations for Class V and Class VIII students across the state. The move aims to bring school-level assessments in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023.

The NEP 2020 advocates a shift from rote-based and high-stakes testing to competency-based assessments that encourage conceptual understanding, analytical thinking, and practical application of knowledge. The new evaluation system will therefore focus on students’ learning outcomes rather than memorization of content.

As part of the new framework, these school-based assessments, recommended for Classes III, V and VIII, are designed to function as diagnostic tools that help teachers and administrators track student progress and adjust teaching methods accordingly. The goal is to foster an environment of learning and understanding rather than examination stress. For the detailed guidelines, please click here to read the full document.