Delhi Schools to Conduct Baseline Assessments for Classes 2 to 8 From August 27

Schools across Delhi will conduct baseline assessments for students of Classes 2 to 8 from August 27 as part of the NIPUN Sankalp programme, with the exercise aimed at measuring students’ foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

The Delhi State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has issued instructions for schools under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) and the Directorate of Education. The assessments will cover Hindi, English and Mathematics and will be conducted during the 2026-27 academic session.

According to the schedule issued by SCERT, the Hindi assessment will take place on August 27, followed by English on August 29 and Mathematics on August 31. The tests will be conducted through OMR sheets, with schools instructed to follow a one-desk, one-student arrangement during the assessments.

The exercise is designed to give schools a clearer picture of students’ existing learning levels. Instead of looking only at marks from regular school examinations, a baseline assessment can help identify areas where students may need additional support in reading, language and mathematics.

Schools have also been directed to register students from Classes 2 to 8 on the NIPUN Sankalp online portal by August 25. Student records are required to be checked and verified before the assessments are conducted.

The assessment process will vary slightly according to the age and class of students. For Classes 2 and 3, teachers will fill in the complete OMR sheet, including student information and responses. For Classes 4 to 8, teachers will enter the required student details and complete Part B, while students will attempt and fill Part A themselves.

Schools have been given detailed instructions on handling the OMR sheets because the answer sheets will be processed through computer-based scanning. Teachers are expected to ensure that the sheets are filled correctly, checked and safely packed after the assessment.

The authorities have also put measures in place for students who cannot attend on the scheduled dates. Students who remain absent will be given another opportunity to take the assessment by September 5. Schools have been asked to make efforts to ensure maximum participation.

Heads of schools will be responsible for ensuring that the assessments are conducted according to the prescribed schedule. They will also have to arrange trained teachers, oversee the filling and verification of OMR sheets and ensure their safe submission.

Zonal and other concerned education officials have been instructed to monitor the assessment process and the subsequent handling of the answer sheets. This is intended to maintain consistency across participating schools and ensure that the assessment data is collected properly.

The NIPUN Sankalp programme focuses on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy among schoolchildren. These basic skills are considered important because difficulties in reading, writing and mathematics during the early years can affect learning in later classes.

The Delhi assessment will therefore provide schools with an early academic picture of students across Classes 2 to 8. The results can help educators understand where learning gaps exist and where further classroom support may be required.

With the first assessment scheduled for August 27, schools are now preparing students, teachers and administrative teams for the exercise. For parents and students, the immediate priority is to check with their respective schools for the assessment schedule and ensure that student details are correctly registered.