CBSE currently gives Class 10 and Class 12 students the option of taking either board exams or school-based annual examinations. JEE is a two-tier entrance exam for selection to top engineering schools including IITs, NEET is the qualifying test for admission to medical colleges. Some 1.66 million students will sit for the Class 10 board exam this year while 1.09 million will take the Class 12 exam. To be sure, taking the Class 10 board exam is not compulsory this year. The compulsory Class 10 board exam is expected to return in 2018.

Source: Mint January 09, 2017 13:43 UTC