PARAKH: What Parents Need to Know About India’s New Student Assessment System Under NEP 2020
As parents navigating India’s evolving education landscape, understanding how our children are assessed has never been more important. The National Education Policy 2020 has introduced transformative changes, moving away from rote learning and exam pressure toward meaningful, competency-based education. At the heart of this educational reform is PARAKH, India’s national assessment centre.
What Is PARAKH? Understanding India’s New Assessment Framework
PARAKH stands for Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development. Established by NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) in February 2023, PARAKH represents a fundamental shift in how student assessment is conducted across India.
This national assessment centre redesigns the entire evaluation process what is tested, how learning progress is measured, and how schools ensure fairness and quality in student assessment.
The core question PARAKH asks is no longer “How many marks did a child score?” but rather “What can the child actually do with what they have learned?”
Why Was PARAKH Introduced? The Need for Education Reform
Traditional school assessment systems in India have long focused on:
- Memorization and rote learning
- High-pressure board examinations
- Marks and competitive ranking
- Limited understanding of a child’s real competencies
The National Education Policy 2020 recognized that this approach caused significant problems:
- Exam anxiety and student stress
- Superficial learning without deep understanding
- Reduced creativity and natural curiosity
- Unfair comparison between CBSE, state boards, and other educational systems
PARAKH was introduced to ensure that assessment supports learning rather than creating stress, aligning with NEP 2020’s vision of holistic education.
Five Key Goals of PARAKH Assessment System
PARAKH’s implementation focuses on five objectives that directly benefit students and parents:
1. Fairness Across School Boards and Assessment Standards
Children study under different boards CBSE, state boards, ICSE, and others. PARAKH establishes common assessment standards, ensuring learning levels are comparable and fair across all educational systems in India.
2. Reduced Exam Stress Through Descriptive Feedback
For students up to Class 8, the emphasis shifts from marks to meaningful, descriptive feedback. Children receive guidance through observations, strengths identification, and constructive areas for improvement rather than being defined by numerical scores.
3. Competency-Based Assessment: Focus on Skills Over Syllabus
The new assessment framework evaluates:
- Conceptual understanding and application
- Real-world problem-solving abilities
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Emotional intelligence and social development
4. Continuous Learning Monitoring
Instead of relying solely on year-end examinations, student learning is assessed continuously throughout the academic year. This allows early identification of learning gaps and timely support.
5. Teacher Training and Quality Improvement
Educators receive comprehensive training in competency-based assessment methods, improving classroom learning experiences and teaching quality across Indian schools.
How Are Children Assessed Under PARAKH? The Competency-Based Approach
Understanding Competency-Based Assessment
PARAKH follows a competency-based education model where:
- Children are evaluated on practical application, not memorization
- Real-life scenarios and situations are emphasized
- Learning connects to everyday experiences
Practical Examples:
- Mathematics: Instead of only solving fraction problems on paper, students demonstrate how fractions apply when sharing food or measuring cooking ingredients
- Science: Rather than memorizing definitions, students explain natural phenomena through observation, experimentation, and reasoning
Holistic Progress Card (HPC): The New Report Card
One of the most significant changes parents will notice is the Holistic Progress Card, which replaces traditional report cards.
What Makes HPC Different?
The Holistic Progress Card:
- Describes learning outcomes in simple, meaningful language
- Includes academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development
- Incorporates multi-perspective feedback from:
- Teachers (professional assessment)
- Students (self-reflection and awareness)
- Peers (collaborative feedback)
- Parents (home observations)
Sample HPC Feedback Statements
Instead of numerical grades or ranks, parents see descriptive statements like:
- “Demonstrates ability to apply mathematical concepts to real-life situations”
- “Shows consistent improvement in expressing ideas confidently”
- “Works collaboratively and contributes positively in group activities”
- “Exhibits strong problem-solving skills across subjects”
This comprehensive approach gives parents a complete picture of their child’s holistic development.
What About Exams and Tests? PARAKH’s Approach to Examinations
Important clarification: PARAKH does not eliminate examinations. Instead, it transforms their purpose and design.
Key Changes in Assessment Methods:
- Exams test understanding and critical thinking, not memory recall
- Questions are application-based, analytical, and scenario-driven
- High-stakes, stressful testing is reduced, especially in foundational years
- Board-level examination reforms gradually align with NEP 2020 principles
National Achievement Survey (NAS): Large-Scale Learning Assessment
PARAKH conducts the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan, also known as the National Achievement Survey (NAS), to understand learning trends across India.
NAS Assessment Details:
- Classes assessed: 3, 6, and 9
- Subjects covered: Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science
- Technology used: Paper-based and OMR (Optical Mark Recognition)
- 2024 participation: Over 21 lakh students from 74,000 schools
What NAS Measures:
The National Achievement Survey evaluates student competencies at foundational, preparatory, and middle stages, providing comprehensive baseline data on learning outcomes.
Important for parents: These assessments do not rank individual children or schools. Instead, they help:
- Identify systemic learning gaps
- Improve curriculum design and teaching methodologies
- Strengthen teacher training programs nationwide
- Inform evidence-based education policy
This means India’s education system continuously improves based on real data and student learning evidence.
Inclusivity and Language in Assessment: Mother Tongue Education
PARAKH strongly supports inclusive and culturally sensitive assessment:
- Mother tongue learning: Assessment available in regional languages including Tamil, Hindi, and other Indian languages
- Special needs accommodation: Provisions for children with disabilities and special educational needs
- Equal opportunities: Ensuring all learners have fair access to quality assessment
This commitment ensures assessments are fair, inclusive, and genuinely child-friendly.
Benefits of PARAKH for Students, Parents, and Schools
For Students:
- Reduced exam fear and anxiety
- Increased confidence in learning
- Deeper conceptual understanding
- Enhanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Focus on individual growth rather than competition
For Parents:
- Clear, meaningful feedback on child development
- Reduced pressure around marks and ranking
- Better communication with teachers
- Stronger focus on long-term skill development
- Comprehensive view of child’s strengths and growth areas
For Schools:
- Improved teaching quality and pedagogy
- Better academic planning based on learning data
- Alignment with national education standards
- Evidence-based curriculum improvement
- Enhanced student-teacher engagement
What Can Parents Do? Supporting Your Child’s Learning Journey
Parents play a vital role in this new competency-based assessment approach:
Practical Steps for Parents:
- Encourage curiosity and questioning at home
- Focus on learning progress rather than marks or ranks
- Support reading, discussion, and exploration across subjects
- Trust descriptive feedback and teacher guidance
- Avoid unnecessary comparison with other children
- Celebrate effort and improvement, not just achievement
- Engage with Holistic Progress Cards meaningfully
- Create learning connections to real-life situations
Remember: Every child learns differently, and PARAKH’s assessment framework recognizes and respects this fundamental truth.
Conclusion: The Future of Education Assessment in India
PARAKH marks a significant step toward child-centered, stress-free, and meaningful education in India. This assessment reform aligns evaluation with life skills, values, and genuine understanding preparing children not just for examinations, but for successful, fulfilling lives.
Implementation Timeline
These NEP 2020 reforms are ongoing as of 2025, with gradual implementation across India’s education system. Schools are progressively adopting competency-based assessment, holistic progress cards, and student-centered evaluation methods.
Our Commitment
As a school committed to holistic development and National Education Policy 2020 principles, we welcome PARAKH’s vision. We work closely with teachers, students, and parents to ensure that learning remains joyful, relevant, and purposeful throughout your child’s educational journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About PARAKH
Q: When was PARAKH established?
A: PARAKH was established by NCERT in February 2023 as part of NEP 2020 implementation.
Q: Does PARAKH eliminate board exams?
A: No, PARAKH does not eliminate exams but transforms them to focus on understanding and application rather than memorization.
Q: Which classes use the Holistic Progress Card?
A: The HPC is being implemented progressively, with initial focus on classes up to grade 8.
Q: How does PARAKH benefit my child?
A: PARAKH reduces exam stress, provides meaningful feedback, focuses on real skills, and supports holistic development.
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