Delhi High Court Issues Notice On PIL To Permit Calculators In CBSE Class XII Accountancy, Maths Exams

KanoonHQ Legal Gazette · AI-generated brief from the source linked below. How briefs are made

Published 4 November 2026

Case: Not stated in the source
Court: High Court of Delhi
Bench: Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula
Source: LiveLaw

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

The Delhi High Court, comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula, issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking permission for students to use calculators in the CBSE Class XII Accountancy and Mathematics examinations. The PIL argues that prohibiting calculators disadvantages students and is arbitrary.

Ratio Decidendi · Legal Principle Established

The court issued notice, indicating that the matter warrants consideration and a response from the respondents, without laying down a final legal principle.

Practice & Procedural Impact for Advocates

Advocates should monitor the proceedings for potential changes in examination policy regarding calculator use. Litigants, particularly students and parents, may find relief if the PIL succeeds, allowing calculators in future CBSE Class XII Accountancy and Mathematics exams.

Key Legal Takeaways

1Delhi High Court issued notice on a PIL concerning calculator use in CBSE Class XII exams.
2The PIL challenges the prohibition of calculators in Accountancy and Mathematics exams.
3The court has sought responses from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Union Government.

The Legal Issue A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Delhi High Court challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)'s policy of prohibiting the use of calculators in Class XII Accountancy and Mathematics examinations. The petitioner argues that this prohibition places students at a disadvantage and is arbitrary, especially given the complex calculations often required in these subjects.

Court's Reasoning A division bench of the Delhi High Court, comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula, considered the arguments presented in the PIL. The court, without delving into the merits of the case at this preliminary stage, deemed it appropriate to issue notice to the respondents. This action signifies that the court finds the issue raised in the PIL warrants a formal response and consideration from the concerned authorities.

What Follows The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Union Government, directing them to file their respective responses to the PIL. The matter will now proceed to further hearings where the court will consider the arguments from all parties before making a final determination on whether calculators should be permitted in CBSE Class XII Accountancy and Mathematics examinations.