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Supreme Court today allowed applications by State of Maharashtra, Odisha and Meghalaya, seeking extension of time in Declaration of State Board Results. Court had fixed July 31 as the deadline for the same.

A Division Bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, allowed the applications recording no objections from either of the parties.

State of Maharashtra and Meghalaya sought an extension of 7 days from the deadline, while the State of Odisha sought 14 days extension.

By order dated June 25, the same bench, recording statement of Andhra Pradesh Government of withholding the exam, observed,

“We reiterate all State Boards to ensure that after internal assessments results are declared on or before 31^st of July, 2021 as has been directed in the case of ICSE and CBSE... Since the concerned states have decided to cancel the exam, we do not wish to entertain the other prayers in the petition.”

The developments came in the backdrop of plea filed by child rights activist Advocate Anubha Sahai seeking cancellation of state board exams.

Prayer was also sought for constitution of a committee to decide the formula of assessment, including compartment students and, declare the result within a time limit. 

Advocate Sahai in her plea averred that due to the pandemic, some of the State Governments took decision for cancellation of the Higher Secondary Certificate Examination (“HSC Exam”) which were scheduled formerly for March but some Governments have still not taken any decision regarding the same.

She further contended that HSC Board has still not devised any formula regarding how they are going to assess the students of Class XII for their further admission, in the event of cancellation of the exam.

Case Title: Anubha Sahai v. Union of India