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Punjab unveils next-level education reforms: Question papers to be co-created by teachers, students
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Mohali: In a landmark move aimed at reshaping the examination system, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) announced that it will contribute high-quality, competency-based questions to a national question bank in collaboration with PARAKH — the National Assessment Centre under NCERT.
The initiative is set to benefit lakhs of students preparing for competitive exams like NEET, CUET, and JEE.
The announcement was made during the national conference on "Rethinking Education Framework for Next Generation Learning," where PSEB chairman Dr Amarpal Singh outlined a new vision for student assessment, shifting the focus from rote learning to conceptual clarity, critical thinking, and innovation.
"We are preparing our students not just to pass exams, but to stand tall on national platforms," said Dr Singh. "Every question paper in Punjab will now test real understanding, not just memory."
Punjab will now contribute its best question papers to a centralised national databank, allowing local students to gain familiarity with the pattern and difficulty level of national-level assessments. Teachers across the state are being trained to frame questions in core subjects that test deeper learning and problem-solving abilities.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Exams Reimagined: Students as Question Creators
One of the most forward-looking elements of this reform is the inclusion of students in the assessment process. Students — especially at the junior level — will be encouraged to frame their own questions. Selected entries will not only be recognised but also have the potential to feature in national-level assessments.
"It's a proud moment. Punjab's teachers and students will now help shape the way India's children are tested and trained for the future," said a PSEB official.
Dr Indrani Bhaduri, CEO of PARAKH, commended Punjab's leadership: "When students start asking questions, not just answering them, real learning begins. Punjab is setting a national example."
Technology-Driven, Transparent Exams
The reform initiative also includes a strong push for secure and transparent assessments. Future board exams will be monitored via live CCTV feeds, with district-level control rooms — a model inspired by Himachal Pradesh.
Additionally, OMR-based evaluation and standardised rubrics will be introduced to ensure fairness and consistency.
Monica Chawla, a CBSE resource person, conducted a workshop for teachers on reforming classroom-level assessments. She urged educators to move beyond outdated formats and embrace methods that reward creativity and higher-order thinking.
To incentivise innovation, PSEB will launch a state-level competition to honour teachers who design the most effective and student-friendly question papers.
These efforts aim to make assessments a tool for learning rather than a source of stress.
Dr Singh concluded the session with a powerful message for Punjab's schoolchildren, saying, "You are not here just to answer questions. You are here to ask better ones, create new ones, and change how we learn forever."
With Punjab now actively contributing to the national question bank, a question created by a teacher in Sangrur or a student in Gurdaspur may soon appear in exams across India — marking a new chapter in educational equity and excellence.
