Allow calculators in Class 12 maths, accountancy exams for students with disabilities: PIL in Delhi HC

Delhi High Court in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: File

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) sought responses from the Centre and other authorities on a public interest litigation seeking permission for students with disabilities, other than those diagnosed with Dyscalculia, to use basic calculators in Class 12 board examinations in mathematics and accountancy.

A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma issued notices to the Centre, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and PARAKH (National Assessment Centre).

During the hearing, CBSE’s counsel told the court that the issue was already under consideration and sought time to obtain instructions from the board.

The PIL, filed by Vishal Dua and several parents, seeks to extend the existing facility of using calculators, currently available only to students with Dyscalculia, to students with other disabilities as well.

The petitioners pointed out that CBSE’s curriculum committee had approved a proposal in November 2024 to allow calculators in accountancy, observing that the existing restriction placed an additional “cognitive load” on students. The committee had also described the move as a long-overdue initiative in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

The plea said the proposal was subsequently placed before CBSE’s governing body in December 2024 but had not been formally notified or implemented.

It argued that students with disabilities spend a considerable amount of examination time performing lengthy calculations, leaving them with less time to demonstrate their understanding of concepts in subjects such as mathematics and accountancy.

The petitioners have sought directions to CBSE to set up an expert committee to examine the use of calculators in mathematics and extend the existing exemption to students with disabilities beyond those diagnosed with Dyscalculia.

They also told the court that a representation submitted to the authorities in August 2026, seeking implementation of the proposal and a reasoned decision, had not received any response.

Published - November 04, 2026 07:03 pm IST