Can A Student Fail In Class 8 CBSE?

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Detailed Solution

Class 8 CBSE students can be held back (repeat the year) now, but only if they fail the annual exam and the compulsory re-examination after remedial teaching. This follows the December 2024 change to the RTE Rules for centrally run schools (KVs, JNVs, etc.), and in other CBSE schools it depends on your State/UT’s policy.

How the rule works (Class 5 & 8)

Regular annual exam.
If you don’t meet promotion criteria: the school must give additional instruction and a re-exam within 2 months.
If you don’t clear the re-exam: you may be held back in Class 8.
No expulsion: even if held back, no child can be expelled before finishing Class 8 .

Where it applies right now

Centrally governed schools (KVs/JNVs/Sainik Schools): the revised detention policy is active from 21 Dec 2024.
Other CBSE-affiliated schools: States/UTs decide whether to allow detention in Class 5/8. As of now 18 States/UTs (e.g., Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttarakhand) notified implementation, while others (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala) were still following no-detention up to Class 8. Check your school’s circular for your State/UT’s current stance.

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