Archive · 22 Sep 2026
CISCE Makes Shine Tests Mandatory, 1,000 Schools Register
CISCE has created online tests called Shine for students in some school grades.
At first, schools could choose whether to join.
Because not enough schools signed up, CISCE made participation compulsory.
About 1,000 schools had registered by Monday evening.
The tests will take place from November 15 to December 7 during the 2026-27 school year.
Students currently in Classes IV, VI and IX will take them.
The tests check learning in English, mathematics and science, along with socioemotional skills.
They are meant to help understand students’ learning and will not decide whether anyone passes or fails.
Around 1,000 schools had registered for CISCE’s Shine assessments by Monday evening.
CISCE withdrew schools’ earlier choice and made participation mandatory after a lukewarm response.
The free online assessments will run from November 15 to December 7 in the 2026-27 academic year.
Students in Classes IV, VI and IX will participate, representing key assessment stages of Classes III, V and VIII.
Shine will assess English, mathematics, science and socioemotional skills without affecting students’ pass-fail results.
- Who
- The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations and its affiliated schools and students.
- What
- CISCE has made its free online Student Holistic Insight and Nurturing Evaluation assessments mandatory.
- When
- The assessments will be held from November 15 to December 7 during the 2026-27 academic year; about 1,000 schools had registered by Monday evening.
- Where
- Online, involving CISCE-affiliated schools across the country.
- Why
- CISCE said the assessments will provide diagnostic insights into academic learning and socioemotional competencies; the mandate followed a lukewarm initial response.
- Assessment name
- Student Holistic Insight and Nurturing Evaluation, or Shine
- Organizer
- Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
- Participation
- Free and mandatory for all affiliated schools
- Assessment dates
- November 15 to December 7 in the 2026-27 academic year
- Student groups
- Students currently in Classes IV, VI and IX
- Subjects and skills
- English, mathematics, science and socioemotional competencies
- Purpose
- A diagnostic exercise that will not determine students’ pass-fail results