All schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are all set to introduce the proposed grading system from 2010, under educational reforms initiated by Human Resource Development Ministry. The board today dispersed a circular to all concerned schools, stating the introduction of grading system and the scrapping of Class X board exam.

However, students have an option to undergo "exam on demand" if they are interested to go for it. Around eight lakh students have to appear in board exams this year and their results will be declared through grading system. Grading system will continue till further orders, but there would be no board exams for Class X from 2011.

The development comes in line with HRD Minister Kapil Sibal's announcement earlier this month for providing stress-free education to children by carrying out reforms in the education system. The ministry also directed schools to introduce Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system from October this year. The move is aimed at achieving an overall personality development of students through school-based evaluation system.

Hailing the recent move, Mansoor Ali Khan, member, board of management, Delhi Public School, said: "We have not got any circular from the human resource ministry or CBSE. But if they insist, we will start grading system from Class 9. We welcome the move. Till now no official correspondence has come from them (authorities)."