West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Soumyadip Dewanji
Last edited March 26, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
UpdateBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
22,126 edits
No edit summary
m minor edit
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{needs more citations|date=November 2020}}
{{short description|Government education examination organization}}
{{short description|Government education exaination organization}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}  
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name               = West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
| name                     = West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
| native_name         =  
| native_name             =  
| native_name_lang   = Bengali
| native_name_lang         = Bengali
| image               = West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education Logo.png
| image                   = West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education Logo.png
| image_border        =  
| image_size              = 200px
| size               =  
| size                     =  
| alt                 =  
| alt                     =  
| caption             =  
| caption                 =  
| map2               =  
| map2                     =  
| abbreviation       = WBCHSE
| abbreviation             = WBCHSE
| motto              =
| predecessor             =  
| predecessor         =  
| successor               =  
| successor           =  
| leader_title             = President
| leader_title       = President
| leader_name             = Dr. Partha Karmakar <ref>{{citation|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/bengal-hs-council-chief-chiranjib-bhattacharya-axed-from-post-partha-karmakar-to-take-over-101772206583554.html }}</ref>
| leader_name         = Dr.Chiranjib Bhattacharya <ref>{{citation|url=https://wbchse.nic.in/html/mem_council.html|title=Members of Council|work=WBCHSE}}</ref>
| leader_title2            = Secretary
| established         = 1975
| leader_name2            = Dr. Priyadarshini Mallick <ref>{{citation|url=https://wbchse.wb.gov.in/home/ |title=Official Website of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education }}</ref>
| type               = [[Governmental Organisation]]
| parent_organization      = [[Education in West Bengal|Government of West Bengal]]
| headquarters       = Vidyasagar Bhavan, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700 091
| affiliations            = [[Department of School Education (West Bengal)|Department of School Education, Gov. of West Bengal]]
| website             = {{url|www.wbchse.nic.in}}
| established             = {{start date and age|1975|04|03}} <ref>{{citation|url=https://wbchse.wb.gov.in/annual-working-plan/list-of-holidays/ |title=List of Holidays }}</ref>
| type                     = [[Government Organisation|Government School Education Board]]
| headquarters             = Vidyasagar Bhavan, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700 091
| website                 = {{URL|wbchse.wb.gov.in}}
}}
}}


The '''West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education''' (WBCHSE) came into existence in 1975. It is an autonomous examining authority, which is responsible for conducting examinations for standard XII for both government and private schools affiliated to this board. It is responsible for improvement and promotion of education in the state. WBCHSE conducts the West Bengal Higher Secondary (Class 12) Examinations each year, for which more than 8 Lakh students appear across the state.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wbchse.nic.in/html/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234302/http://wbchse.nic.in/html/ |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/west-bengal-class-12-results-pass-percentage-1254962-2018-06-12|title=West Bengal Class 12th results declared: Here's the pass percentage|agency=Ist|newspaper=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/wbchse-hs-result-2018-live-updates-wb-class-12th-result-at-wbresults-nic-in-east-midnapore-tops-districts-1771989.html|title=WBCHSE HS Result 2018 LIVE Updates: WB Class 12th Result at wbresults.nic.in. East Midnapore Tops Districts|date=8 June 2018|website=News18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.results.shiksha/west-bengal/wbchse|title=WB Class 12 Results 2020|website=Results.Siksha|access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref>
The '''West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education''' ('''WBCHSE''') is an Indian examining authority (School Educational Board), which is responsible for conducting examinations for standard XII for both government and private schools affiliated to this board. The exam is commonly known as [[Uccha Madhyamik Pariksha]] or Higher Secondary Exam ('''HS'''). It came into existence in 1975. It is responsible for improvement and promotion of education in the state. WBCHSE conducts the [[Uccha Madhyamik Pariksha|West Bengal Higher Secondary Examinations]] (Class 12) each year, for which more than 8 Lakh students appear across the state.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wbchse.nic.in/html/ |title=-:: Welcome to the Official Website of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education ::- |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234302/http://wbchse.nic.in/html/ |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/west-bengal-class-12-results-pass-percentage-1254962-2018-06-12|title=West Bengal Class 12th results declared: Here's the pass percentage|agency=Ist|newspaper=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/wbchse-hs-result-2018-live-updates-wb-class-12th-result-at-wbresults-nic-in-east-midnapore-tops-districts-1771989.html|title=WBCHSE HS Result 2018 LIVE Updates: WB Class 12th Result at wbresults.nic.in. East Midnapore Tops Districts|date=8 June 2018|website=News18}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.results.shiksha/west-bengal/wbchse|title=WB Class 12 Results 2020|website=Results.Siksha|access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref>
 
First Higher Secondary examination was conducted by WBCHSE in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Official Website of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education |url=https://wbchse.wb.gov.in/home/#:~:text=first%20Higher%20Secondary%20Examination%20took%20place%20in%20the%20year%201978. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220231644/https://wbchse.wb.gov.in/home/#:~:text=first%20Higher%20Secondary%20Examination%20took%20place%20in%20the%20year%201978. |archive-date=20 December 2024 |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> Till then, its equivalent exam (known as 'Intermediate' degree) was conducted by [[University of Calcutta]].
 
== Examination system ==
In the initial years, students had to write answers to essay type questions and long answer type questions. Later, this was considered as 'stressful',  'unscientific' and 'injustice' to students as some single questions used to carry 16 marks and five such questions had to be answered in some subjects. There remained chances of non-uniform evaluation of different students' answer by different examiners.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 4, 2005 |title=HS Closes Chapter of Long Answers |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/hs-closes-chapter-of-long-answers/cid/850855 |access-date=April 2, 2025}}</ref> Short answer type questions were introduced eventually.
 
Exams of each subject consisted of two papers. Paper 1 focussed on topics of class XI and Paper 2 of class XII mainly. This existing system of holding the HS exam on the basis of a combined syllabi of both the classes was decided to be replaced by evaluation based on only class 12 from the 2007 HS exam.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 27, 2005 |title=Class XI exam in school bag - Higher Secondary split to take effect from 2007 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/class-xi-exam-in-school-bag-higher-secondary-split-to-take-effect-from-2007/cid/872627 |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]]}}</ref> Thereafter, the two-paper system had been done away with. Since then, WBCHSE had been preparing question paper for Annual Exam at the end of class XI and the HS exam at the end of class XII.<ref name=":0" /> Schools were directed to conduct a 'Test Examination' mandatorily at the end of class 12 for qualifying to write in the HS exam. Many schools used to conduct half-yearly exams internally for class XI and XII in the middle of each session.
 
In 2024, as per Council's direction, schools individually conducted the Annual Exam of class XI strictly following the question structure of the council.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Bishwanath |date=2023-05-25 |title=West Bengal schools to conduct their own Class XI exams |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-schools-to-conduct-their-own-class-xi-exams/article66892640.ece |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The HS exam of 2025 was the last regular one conducted by WBCHSE in Annual system.
 
Replacing the age-old Annual system, WBCHSE introduced a four phase [[Uccha Madhyamik Pariksha#Semester System|semester system]] from the academic year 2024–25, first in [[Indian education|India]] in Higher secondary level. It consists of two semesters for class XI (Sem-1 and Sem-2) and next two semesters for class XII (Sem-3 and Sem-4). Sem-1 and 3 are MCQ based and Sem-2 and 4 exams have descriptive questions. Semesters 1 and 2 make up the class XI curriculum whereas 3 and 4 for class XII.
 
In accordance with the State Education Policy of [[Government of West Bengal]], the erstwhile 'HS exam' or 12th board exam is now effectively split into Semester 3 and Semester 4 exams. Students will appear in the HS exam under this system in 2026 for the first time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-20 |title=West Bengal HS council notifies semester system in state-run schools |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/west-bengal-hs-council-notifies-semester-system-in-state-run-schools/articleshow/109438204.cms |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
 
== Major changes ==
Since its inception in 1975, the syllabi, course structure, curricula and subjects offered were changed several times. The first major syllabus change was done in 2005 <ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 2005 |title=Now, new-look HS |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/now-new-look-hs/cid/876562 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]] |location=Kolkata}}</ref>  and later in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-01-04 |title=Expert committee to upgrade HS syllabus |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/expert-committee-to-upgrade-hs-syllabus/articleshow/11357443.cms |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The latest change in subject combination, syllabi and exam structure was done in 2024–25.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-16 |title=WBCHSE revises class 11, 12 syllabus for 17 subjects, including English, Bengali, and Commerce & Arts subjects: Check list of changes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/wbchse-revises-class-11-12-syllabus-for-17-subjects-including-english-bengali-and-commerce-arts-subjects-check-list-of-changes/articleshow/116360652.cms |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 31: Line 50:
* [[School Education Department, West Bengal]]
* [[School Education Department, West Bengal]]
* [[West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education]]
* [[West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education]]
*[[West Bengal Council of Rabindra Open Schooling]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 36: Line 56:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Official website|http://www.wbchse.nic.in}}
{{Official website|https://wbchse.wb.gov.in/}}
* [https://wbchse.wb.gov.in/books-for-language-subject/ Books published by WBCHSE in 2024]


{{School education in India}}
{{School education in India}}
Line 46: Line 67:
[[Category:Educational boards based in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Educational boards based in Kolkata]]
[[Category:State agencies of West Bengal]]
[[Category:State agencies of West Bengal]]
{{India-gov-stub}}

Latest revision as of 17:43, 26 March 2026


West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
AbbreviationWBCHSE
EstablishedApril 3, 1975; 51 years ago (1975-04-03) [1]
TypeGovernment School Education Board
HeadquartersVidyasagar Bhavan, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700 091
President
Dr. Partha Karmakar [2]
Secretary
Dr. Priyadarshini Mallick [3]
Parent organization
Government of West Bengal
AffiliationsDepartment of School Education, Gov. of West Bengal
Websitewbchse.wb.gov.in

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) is an Indian examining authority (School Educational Board), which is responsible for conducting examinations for standard XII for both government and private schools affiliated to this board. The exam is commonly known as Uccha Madhyamik Pariksha or Higher Secondary Exam (HS). It came into existence in 1975. It is responsible for improvement and promotion of education in the state. WBCHSE conducts the West Bengal Higher Secondary Examinations (Class 12) each year, for which more than 8 Lakh students appear across the state.[4][5][6][7]

First Higher Secondary examination was conducted by WBCHSE in 1978.[8] Till then, its equivalent exam (known as 'Intermediate' degree) was conducted by University of Calcutta.

Examination system[edit | edit source]

In the initial years, students had to write answers to essay type questions and long answer type questions. Later, this was considered as 'stressful', 'unscientific' and 'injustice' to students as some single questions used to carry 16 marks and five such questions had to be answered in some subjects. There remained chances of non-uniform evaluation of different students' answer by different examiners.[9] Short answer type questions were introduced eventually.

Exams of each subject consisted of two papers. Paper 1 focussed on topics of class XI and Paper 2 of class XII mainly. This existing system of holding the HS exam on the basis of a combined syllabi of both the classes was decided to be replaced by evaluation based on only class 12 from the 2007 HS exam.[10] Thereafter, the two-paper system had been done away with. Since then, WBCHSE had been preparing question paper for Annual Exam at the end of class XI and the HS exam at the end of class XII.[11] Schools were directed to conduct a 'Test Examination' mandatorily at the end of class 12 for qualifying to write in the HS exam. Many schools used to conduct half-yearly exams internally for class XI and XII in the middle of each session.

In 2024, as per Council's direction, schools individually conducted the Annual Exam of class XI strictly following the question structure of the council.[11] The HS exam of 2025 was the last regular one conducted by WBCHSE in Annual system.

Replacing the age-old Annual system, WBCHSE introduced a four phase semester system from the academic year 2024–25, first in India in Higher secondary level. It consists of two semesters for class XI (Sem-1 and Sem-2) and next two semesters for class XII (Sem-3 and Sem-4). Sem-1 and 3 are MCQ based and Sem-2 and 4 exams have descriptive questions. Semesters 1 and 2 make up the class XI curriculum whereas 3 and 4 for class XII.

In accordance with the State Education Policy of Government of West Bengal, the erstwhile 'HS exam' or 12th board exam is now effectively split into Semester 3 and Semester 4 exams. Students will appear in the HS exam under this system in 2026 for the first time.[12]

Major changes[edit | edit source]

Since its inception in 1975, the syllabi, course structure, curricula and subjects offered were changed several times. The first major syllabus change was done in 2005 [13] and later in 2013.[14] The latest change in subject combination, syllabi and exam structure was done in 2024–25.[15]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ List of Holidays
  2. ↑ https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/bengal-hs-council-chief-chiranjib-bhattacharya-axed-from-post-partha-karmakar-to-take-over-101772206583554.html {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ Official Website of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
  4. ↑ "-:: Welcome to the Official Website of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education ::-". Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "West Bengal Class 12th results declared: Here's the pass percentage". India Today. Ist.
  6. ↑ "WBCHSE HS Result 2018 LIVE Updates: WB Class 12th Result at wbresults.nic.in. East Midnapore Tops Districts". News18. 8 June 2018.
  7. ↑ "WB Class 12 Results 2020". Results.Siksha. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "Official Website of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education". West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "HS Closes Chapter of Long Answers". 4 October 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  10. ↑ "Class XI exam in school bag - Higher Secondary split to take effect from 2007". The Telegraph (India). 27 July 2005. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Ghosh, Bishwanath (25 May 2023). "West Bengal schools to conduct their own Class XI exams". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "West Bengal HS council notifies semester system in state-run schools". The Times of India. 20 April 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  13. ↑ "Now, new-look HS". The Telegraph (India). Kolkata. 20 June 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "Expert committee to upgrade HS syllabus". The Times of India. 4 January 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  15. ↑ "WBCHSE revises class 11, 12 syllabus for 17 subjects, including English, Bengali, and Commerce & Arts subjects: Check list of changes". The Times of India. 16 December 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 April 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]

wbchse.wb.gov.in

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=West_Bengal_Council_of_Higher_Secondary_Education&oldid=468662"
Discover more