This is an archive article published on November 24, 2024
Maharashtra: Lower pass marks for maths, science not applicable for SSC 2025 exam
As the final SCF was declared last month, it proposed lowering passing marks for science and mathematics in Class 10, which is a board exam – SSC, conducted by Maharashtra State Board.
Written by Pallavi Smart
Mumbai | November 24, 2024 10:17 PM IST
3 min read
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The proposal according to Maharashtra State Board had led to confusion among aspirants of the upcoming SSC aspirants.
Even as State Curriculum Framework (SCF) – School Education (SE) has proposed lowering the passing marks for maths and science from 35 to 20 marks in Class 10 of Maharashtra State Board; it will not be applicable from the upcoming Secondary School Certificate (SSC), starting on February 21.
As the final SCF was declared last month, it proposed lowering passing marks for science and mathematics in Class 10, which is a board exam – SSC, conducted by Maharashtra State Board. According to the proposal, while passing with lower marks will come with a remark on the certificate that will bar the student from pursuing higher education courses requiring knowledge of mathematics or science, there will be no hassle to pursue other higher education courses.
The proposal according to Maharashtra State Board had led to confusion among aspirants of the upcoming SSC aspirants. Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education issued a circular to clear doubts, if any, “There is no change in passing marks of Mathematics and Science for Class 10 exam to be conducted in February/March 2025. In future when the changes are to be implemented, it will be communicated separately to students, parents, teachers and schools,” stated the circular issued by Secretary of Maharashtra State Board Devidas Kulal.
The SCF – SE, which was initially under the cloud of controversy due to inclusion of Manusmriti and other objectionable content, was revised and the final document was released in October. Among various recommendations it also proposed lowering passing marks for Mathematics and Science from 35 to 20 marks.
The proposal received positive responses as many school teachers and parents expressed that fear of mathematics had been a serious concern among students, causing them exam related stress. The excitement according to Maharashtra State Board led to many queries regarding passing mark criteria for Science and Mathematics for upcoming SSC exam.
This year, Maharashtra State Board exams, both – SSC and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC – Class 12) will begin a few days earlier. As per the dates declared by Maharashtra State Board, the HSC exam will start on February 11, 2025 and will continue until March 18, 2025. The SSC exam will start on February 21, 2025 and will continue until March 17, 2025.
Historically, Maharashtra State Board’s HSC exams would begin late in February and SSC exams would start in the first week of March. Early exams, the board believes, will help start the next academic year on time and for admissions to higher education courses which depend on the result of these exams.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting.
Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive:
Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses).
Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers.
Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis).
Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized.
Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families.
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