A storm of protest has erupted among students after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) scrapped the option for private candidates to take additional subjects in Class 12 — a pathway many relied upon to diversify qualifications, prepare for competitive exams, or correct earlier subject choices.

The CBSE’s new circular, issued Monday, clarified that students may opt for up to two additional subjects in Class 10 and only one in Class 12 — but strictly during their regular school years. Private candidates, who until 2024 could appear for extra subjects after graduation, are now barred from doing so. The decision, say students, is abrupt, unfair, and potentially devastating.

Eighteen-year-old Kumar Aditya, who cleared Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology in 2024, had planned to add Mathematics this year to qualify for engineering entrance exams such as JEE and WBJEE. “The sudden removal of the option has placed students like me in a very uncertain position. Many entrance exams strictly mandate math in Class 12, and without the additional subject pathway, our eligibility is at serious risk. This feels abrupt and unfair,” he said.

The impact extends beyond engineering aspirants. Students seeking to pivot into fields requiring History, Geography, Accountancy, or Business Studies — often theoretical subjects that do not require labs — are also locked out. “It defies the very spirit of flexibility promised under the NEP 2020,” said another student, who had planned on sitting for an additional humanities subject to broaden career prospects.

For many drop-year students, the setback is particularly harsh. Months of preparation for additional subjects — viewed as a second chance to align academic profiles with career goals — have been rendered meaningless.

“CBSE should have taken this decision earlier. Now I am left with no option. Do I need to re-enrol in NIOS for all five subjects?” said Anmol Agnihotri, a JEE 2026 aspirant who had counted on retaking mathematics as a private candidate.

With the application deadline for private candidates closing on September 30, students are pressing CBSE to urgently roll back its decision or at least provide alternatives — such as bridge courses, supplementary exams, or recognition of open school boards.

“Without reinstating flexibility, this move risks shutting doors for thousands of students and derailing their future pathways,” said Aditya.