CBSE mobilises schools for nationwide foundational learning audit as PARAKH rolls out digital Grade 3 assessment in March 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all its affiliated schools to extend full cooperation for the Foundational Learning Study (FLS) 2026. It is a nationwide assessment designed to evaluate basic literacy and numeracy skills among Grade 3 students. According to an official communication issued on February 18, 2026, the study will be conducted towards the end of March 2026 by PARAKH under the aegis of the National Council of Educational Research and Training.In the assessment framework, States and Union Territories will serve as the unit of analysis, allowing policymakers to compare foundational learning levels and design targeted education interventions.The exercise will examine Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) competencies of students who have completed Grade 3. The results will help authorities understand how effectively early learning goals are being achieved across states and Union Territories.

Shift from OMR sheets to tablets

A shift to a digital platform is one of the most important modifications of FLS 2026. Previous forms of the exams, such as the 2022 assessment, were based on paper-pen tests evaluated through OMR sheets.This year, the test will be carried out all through tablets, which will be a change of direction to technology-intensive data collection. Education officials believe that the action will increase the level of accuracy, speed of analysis, and general reliability of data.The scale of the assessment is significant. The Foundational Learning Study will cover:

The sampled schools will include government schools run by central and state authorities, government-aided institutions, and private schools. All participating institutions have been selected through a scientific sampling process to ensure a representative national picture of foundational learning levels.

CBSE asks schools to ensure smooth conduct

In its communication, CBSE has asked heads of affiliated schools to ensure two key arrangements for the successful implementation of the study.First, sampled schools must remain open and fully functional on the scheduled assessment dates so that the evaluation teams can conduct the tests without disruption.Second, schools have been instructed to extend full cooperation to the assessment teams deployed for the exercise.

Multi-level coordination for implementation

The study will be technically guided at the national level by PARAKH at NCERT. At the state and district levels, several institutions will coordinate the logistics and field implementation.These include:

This collaborative structure is intended to ensure smooth administration, data collection, and monitoring across the country.Candidates can check the official notice as provided here.