The Board has accorded permission to schools to grant Mathematics (Paper # 041) to Students of Class XI, even if they had opted for Mathematics Basic (Paper #241) in Class X.

The Central Board of Secondary Education issued a circular to all schools affiliated to CBSE, granting permission to allow students of Class XI (2023-24) to opt for Mathematics (Paper 041) in class XI and XII, even if they had chosen Mathematics Basic (#241) in Class X. This permission had also been granted during the COVID Pandemic.

In 2019, the CBSE has issued a Circular (Acad-03/2019 dt. 10 January 2019), wherein it had explained the differentiation between Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic. If a student was NOT KEEN on pursuing Mathematics in Class XI onwards, the student could opt for the Mathematics Basic paper. However, if the student was interested in opting for Mathematics in Class XI onward, they needed to mandatorily opt for Mathematics Standard in Class X. Those opting for Mathematics Basic in Class X COULD NOT opt for Mathematics in Class XI, as per the original circular.

However, during the COVID pandemic, this restriction was relaxed and students were allowed to opt for Mathematics in Class XI, even if they had opted for Mathematics Basic in Class X, subject to the school being satisfied with their aptitude.

The recent circular issued by the CBSE mentions the followings:

After detailed deliberations, the following has been decided by the Board for the session 2023-24:

• As per circular no. Acad-2019 dated 10 January 2019, students of Class X who have studied Mathematics Standard (041) can offer Mathematics (041) in Class XI. In case, the students who offered Mathematics Basic (241) in Class X are allowed to offer only Applied Mathematics in Class XI.
• This rule has again been relaxed by the CBSE for the session 2023-24 only. Thus, students who offered Mathematics Basic (241) are also allowed to offer Mathematics (041) in Class XI.
• Before permitting Mathematics (041) in Class XI to such students, the Head of the Institution should satisfy that the students are having the aptitude and ability to pursue Mathematics (041) in Class XI.

This exemption, says the CBSE, is being given as a special measure to facilitate the present batch i.e. 2023-24 of Class XI. However, the provisions of the original circular of 2019 will stand applicable from the 2024-25 session.