The Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) Andhra Pradesh (AP) has unveiled a series of proposed reforms aimed at revamping the state’s intermediate education system. These reforms come in response to feedback from students, parents, educators, and other stakeholders. The proposed changes, which include syllabus revisions, the introduction of NCERT textbooks, and the abolition of first-year-end exams, aim to modernize and align the system with current educational demands.
One of the major reforms involves the revision of the intermediate education syllabus and textbooks, which have remained largely unchanged in recent years. According to BIE AP, the introduction of NCERT textbooks is necessary to ensure smooth progress in education, starting with first-year students in the 2025-26 academic year. The revised syllabus will also be aligned with national exam patterns like NEET and JEE. Other states across India have already adopted NCERT textbooks in their intermediate education, and BIE AP plans to follow suit.
The proposed changes for science subjects, including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology, will see the introduction of NCERT textbooks for first-year students in 2025-26, followed by a reduction in syllabus content. Arts and Humanities subjects (e.g., civics, economics, history, and commerce) will also see a similar approach, with textbooks tailored to BIE AP’s syllabus introduced for first-year students, followed by updated versions for second-year students starting 2026-27.
Language subjects, including English, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu, will adopt textbooks aligned with BIE AP’s syllabus starting in 2025-26. The changes aim to ensure consistency across subjects and ensure that students receive a comprehensive, standardized education.
Additionally, BIE AP has proposed abolishing first-year-end exams to alleviate the pressure on students. Unlike most other educational boards in the country, which only assess second-year students, Andhra Pradesh currently conducts public exams for both the first and second years. The removal of first-year exams aims to reduce stress and focus on the more important second-year exams, which are used for college admissions.
Another key proposal is the introduction of new subject combinations. BIE AP aims to offer greater flexibility to students, allowing them to choose elective subjects according to their interests. This proposal addresses the growing demand for courses like MBIPC (Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry) and allows students to select combinations that best align with their future aspirations.
Finally, BIE AP has proposed changes to the examination system. The allocation of marks between theory, practical, and internal exams will be restructured to follow the CBSE pattern. For language and humanities subjects, 80% of the marks will come from theory exams, with the remaining 20% from internal assessments. For science subjects like MPC (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) and BIPC (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), a balanced distribution of marks between theory and internal exams is planned. Additionally, subject-oriented questions, including multiple choice and short-answer questions, will be introduced to assess critical thinking and research abilities.
BIE AP invites feedback from students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders on these proposed reforms. Suggestions can be submitted until January 26, 2025.
