New Delhi: Central Board of Secondary Education officials said on Wednesday that board examinations in 2021 will be in written mode only and not online, even as consultations on dates for the conduct of the examination are still underway. The board officials also said that if students were not able to sit for practicals in classes before the exams, alternatives would be explored. A senior CBSE official stated that "No final decision has been taken regarding the dates for the conduct of board exams, and consultations with stakeholders are still in process. The exams, as and when they are conducted, will be in the written mode and not in an online mode. The exams will be conducted following all COVID protocols." Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' will soon hold an interaction with students, teachers, and parents on December 10 on the issue of conduct of board examinations and competitive examinations next year. Schools across the country were closed in March to contain the spread of coronavirus and partially reopened in some states from October 15. The board exams which were conducted in March had to be postponed mid-way. The exams were later canceled, and the results were announced on the basis of an alternative assessment scheme. Competitive exams like JEE and NEET were also postponed twice this year. There were demands for postponement of board exams to May in view of the continued closure of schools and teaching-learning activities being completely online. Also Read:- IIT Roorkee 272 jobs offered on day one IIT Madras conducted the first session of its placement drive, 123 Jobs offered Recruitment for following posts in MPPEB, Apply soonSSC JE, CHSL, CGL, Delhi Police result dates announced