AP Govt to Abolish First-Year Intermediate Exams

Secretary to the board, Krithika Shukla, explained on Wednesday that a plan is to implement the CBSE syllabus in the first year of intermediate studies from the 2025-26 academic year.

Addressing the media here, Krithika Shukla said, “We are aiming to bring reforms in Intermediate education by not holding first-year exams, based on the suggestions and advice received from students, parents, educators and stakeholders. Discussions would be held on the reforms before finalizing the plan.”

“Since it is a matter related to the lives of students, decisions will be made based on the suggestions and advice received from these segments. The results of the reforms in the Intermediate education system will benefit 10 lakh students,” she said.

She said, “The proposed reforms are available on the website bieap.gov.in”. Comments and suggestions should be sent to biereforms@gmail.com by January 26.

Krithika Shukla said that except for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the boards of other states are not conducting Inter First Year examinations. A majority of Intermediate boards and universities are conducting only Intermediate Second Year examinations. This would help reduce pressure on the students.”

Referring to the change of syllabus, she said a subject committee for each of the 14 subjects was constituted on October 1, 2024 comprising university professors, degree college lecturers and junior lecturers.

As per the subject committee report, proposals were made for a change of syllabus.

For science (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology) students, revised textbooks will be printed as per the NCERT pattern from the academic year 2025-26 for the first-year students. For the second year, the syllabus will be reduced for the academic year 2025-26 as per the NCERT pattern.

She said proposals were made to introduce a full NCERT-based syllabus from the academic year 2026-27.

Krithika Shukla said the school education department had introduced NCERT books in the 10th class in 2024-25. So, there is an imminent need to introduce NCERT books in the intermediate first year from academic year 2025-26 to ensure a seamless transition.

She said there is a need for alignment with the syllabus being followed for competitive examinations such NEET and JEE. More than 15 states in India have adopted NCERT books for their intermediate curriculum.

Regarding the Arts and humanities subjects (Civics, Economics, History and Commerce), Krithika Shukla said proposals have been made for the revised textbooks as per the Board of Intermediate Syllabus for the academic year 2025-26. For the second-year students, no change will be made for the academic year 2025-26. Revised textbooks will be printed by the academic year 2026-27.

She also said proposals have been made to introduce new subject combinations so that the students have more options to pursue education.

Keeping in view the need for change, the Intermediate Board has made proposals to introduce new courses with different combination subjects like MBiPC with Mathematics and Biology as subjects. English will be made a compulsory subject and 25 options will be available to the students to choose courses, she said.