Last Updated:
The Madhya Pradesh High Court questioned CBSE on denying Class 9 admission to a 10-year-old prodigy, urging a relook at policies restricting exceptional students.
During the hearing, the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf strongly questioned CBSE’s approach. (Representative image)
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought the Central government’s stand on its policy for child prodigies while hearing an appeal filed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) against a single-bench order that directed provisional admission of a 10-year-old boy in Class 9.
The child’s father had approached the high court claiming his son, a child prodigy, had completed Classes 1 to 8 but was denied admission in Class 9 due to age-related restrictions under CBSE rules. While the single bench allowed provisional admission, CBSE challenged the order, citing Clause 6 of Chapter 3 of the Examination Bylaws and the National Education Policy (NEP) which doesn’t allow admission of a 10 year old child in class 9, Live Law reported.
Recommended Stories
During the hearing, the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf strongly questioned CBSE’s approach.
“So you have not heard of child prodigies? People who are MBBS doctors at age of 14. You want to curb intelligence? World over, there is a surgeon at age of 10, you do not want him in class 9?” the bench remarked.
Noting that “exceptional students” globally achieve remarkable feats, the bench questioned the impact on the government if such students are promoted early, the report mentioned.
The counsel appearing for CBSE argued that the said policies were drafted by experts and had a purpose and rationale behind them. The bench empahsized that “at age of seven, a person become a surgeon, in India. Then you have at the age of 12 a grandmaster at chess, Indian. At age of 13, a person founded a logistic company”.
“Your national education policy then needs a relook”, the bench told CBSE, recalling instances of double promotions during their school days.
When asked how long the child would have to wait, CBSE replied two years. The court responded by saying, “No, there is a surgeon, world of child prodigies are there; you (CBSE) are not willing to accept it”.
The court issued notice, which is returnable by October 6, and asked the Centre, “Please tell us what do you want to do about child prodigies. On the one hand, Union of India is recognising them and giving them awards. And here you want to curb intelligence”.
About the Author
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More
Madhya Pradesh, India, India
September 25, 2025, 11:54 IST
Loading comments…
Read More
