Archive · 20 Sep 2026
CISCE Makes Shine Assessments Mandatory for Three Classes
CISCE is a school education council that runs the Shine assessments.
It has decided that every affiliated school must take part.
The assessments will be held from November 15 to December 7, 2026.
Students in Classes IV, VI and IX will participate.
The tests will check English, mathematics, science and some social and emotional skills.
Schools will receive reports showing students’ strengths and areas where they need help.
Some schools are worried that the tests will take extra time and effort.
Other school leaders believe the results will help them understand how well their students are learning.
CISCE has made its Shine assessments mandatory and free for all affiliated schools.
Students in Classes IV, VI and IX will take the assessments from November 15 to December 7, 2026.
The tests will cover English, mathematics, science and socio-emotional competencies.
CISCE says the results will help schools identify learning needs and plan academic support.
Some principals cited added workload and scheduling concerns, while others welcomed the diagnostic information.
- Who
- The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations and its affiliated schools and students.
- What
- CISCE has made its Shine 2026 assessments mandatory and free for all affiliated schools.
- When
- The assessments are scheduled for November 15 to December 7, 2026, during the 2026-27 academic year.
- Where
- They will be conducted across CISCE-affiliated schools, with online-assessment infrastructure required where applicable.
- Why
- CISCE says the assessments will provide insights into students’ learning levels and socio-emotional competencies and support evidence-based academic planning.
CISCE and Supporters
Concerned School Leaders
Making participation mandatory
CISCE and Supporters
CISCE says mandatory participation will provide the full benefit of the assessments to students and make diagnostic information available across all affiliated schools.
Concerned School Leaders
Some schools had opted out when participation was voluntary and said the new requirement leaves them with no choice.
Effect on school workload
CISCE and Supporters
CISCE says student- and school-level reports can support evidence-based academic planning and targeted academic assistance.
Concerned School Leaders
Some principals said registering and assessing three classes would add substantial preparation and administrative work during the school year.
Value of the assessments
CISCE and Supporters
Supporters said the assessments could reveal students’ performance and help schools evaluate their own standards.
Concerned School Leaders
Some schools were concerned that online assessments could be difficult for institutions lacking the necessary infrastructure or for younger students.
- Assessment name
- Student Holistic Insight & Nurturing Evaluation, or Shine
- Participation
- Mandatory and free for all CISCE-affiliated schools
- Classes involved
- Classes IV, VI and IX
- Assessment period
- November 15 to December 7, 2026
- Subjects and skills
- English, mathematics, science and socio-emotional competencies
- Purpose
- To identify student strengths and learning needs and guide academic support
- School preparation
- CISCE is holding region-wise webinars on the assessment design and administration