NEB to offer exam retake for 1.4 million students who failed since 1999

KATHMANDU: Students who failed in Grade 11 and 12 exams 25 years ago, and undergraduate students from Tribhuvan University who failed 23 years ago, are now eligible to take special examinations.

Students who failed their Grade 11 and 12 exams starting from the year 2056 BS, as well as undergraduate students who failed from 2058 BS, are allowed to sit for these examinations.

According to the new provision by the National Examination Board (NEB), students who had previously studied at affiliated institutions but failed or were absent in exams, regardless of how long ago, will have an opportunity to take the special exams.

Exam Controller Krishna Prasad Sharma stated that students who first took their exams in 2056 BS and continued through 2077 BS without passing can participate in this special examination.

The NEB estimates that around 1.4 million students remain unqualified despite taking regular and supplementary exams during this 21-year period.

The date for conducting the special exam will be determined after observing the number of students who apply. If all 1.4 million students register, the exams will be conducted in phases.

The NEB (formerly known as the Higher Secondary Education Council) began Grade 11 education in 2052 BS.

Initially, for the first three years, Grades 11 and 12 were taught based on the first and second-year curricula of Tribhuvan University’s Proficiency Certificate Level. However, from 2056 BS onwards, the council implemented its own curriculum for Grades 11 and 12.

According to Exam Controller Sharma, this special examination is initially available only to students who studied under the NEB’s own curriculum from 2056 BS onwards. If students who studied between 2052 and 2055 BS request similar opportunities, the NEB will consider their requests and make a separate decision.

The board has announced that those who previously failed or missed their exams will be allowed to participate in the exam scheduled for this upcoming Baisakh. Eligible students are instructed to fill out the exam form at their respective educational institutions by Mangsir 27.

For Grade 12, students whose registration numbers begin with 56 or higher up to 77 will have a final opportunity to participate. For Grade 11, students with registration numbers starting from 56 up to 76 are eligible for this last chance.

To sit for these special exams, applicants will need to pay an exam fee of Rs 1,000 per grade. Those wishing to take exams for both Grades 11 and 12 will need to pay Rs 2,000.

For students with only practical subjects remaining, the fee will be Rs 1,000.