Economic Survey 2025-26 Proposes PISA-Like Assessment for Class 10 Students
The Economic Survey 2025-26, presented during the budget session, has put forward a significant proposal to revolutionize the Indian education system. The document recommends the introduction of a PISA-like assessment at the end of Grade 10, aiming to move beyond traditional rote learning evaluations and focus on the application of knowledge and skills.
Addressing Structural Issues in School Assessments
The survey highlights critical shortcomings in the current assessment framework used in Indian schools. It points out that existing internal and board examinations primarily assess content recall rather than generating diagnostic evidence necessary to identify learning gaps. This approach, according to the survey, fails to provide actionable insights for corrective measures.
Findings from established assessments in India, such as the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) and the National Achievement Survey (NAS), underscore a deeper structural issue. These reports suggest that school-based assessments are designed mainly for certification and promotion purposes, lacking the diagnostic capabilities needed to pinpoint specific learning deficiencies and inform targeted interventions.
The PISA Model: A Global Benchmark
The proposed assessment draws inspiration from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international evaluation conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). PISA tests 15-year-old students across various countries in reading, mathematics, and science to assess the effectiveness of school systems globally.
Unlike traditional exams that measure rote learning, PISA focuses on evaluating the application of knowledge and skills in real-world contexts. India has participated in PISA only once, in 2009, when it ranked 72nd out of 73 countries. The assessment is conducted every three years, providing a comparative analysis of educational outcomes on an international scale.
Proposed Framework for India
The Economic Survey outlines a comprehensive framework for implementing a PISA-like assessment in the Indian context. The proposed evaluation would be standardized and competency-based, designed to compare states, different types of schools, and various socioeconomic cohorts on a common scale. This approach aims to provide policymakers with valuable insights for developing targeted policy interventions.
Key components of the proposal include:
- Using assessment data to unpack the reasons behind scores, understand errors, and identify underlying confusions.
- Converting the survey into a robust feedback tool for stakeholders, including educators, parents, and policymakers.
- Ensuring the assessment complements existing examinations by focusing on diagnostic evidence rather than mere certification.
Implications for Educational Reform
The introduction of a PISA-like assessment at the Grade 10 level could mark a transformative shift in India's educational landscape. By emphasizing competency-based learning and application-oriented evaluation, the proposal aligns with global best practices in education. It seeks to address the persistent challenge of learning gaps and promote a more holistic approach to student assessment.
This initiative, if implemented, could provide a clearer picture of educational outcomes across diverse regions and demographics, enabling more effective and equitable policy decisions. The Economic Survey's recommendation underscores the need for continuous innovation in assessment methodologies to foster a more dynamic and responsive education system in India.
