Sweeping reforms ranging from scrapping of CBSE''s Class X board exam and enacting of a law to make education a fundamental right of every child were in the news on the educational front in 2009, a year that also saw a new CAT format plagued by technical glitches. With Kapil Sibal, who has been described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as one of the "finest minds" in the government, taking over as the new Human Resource Development Minister, a new roadmap for reforms was put in place aiming at transforming the country''s demographic dividend into a growth propeller.

Sibal''s stint in the ministry began with a host of policy and legislative initiatives with focus on access, equity and quality. The reforms process started with a major announcement of the government to abolish compulsory CBSE Board exams for Class X from 2010-11 session and introduction of grading system from current year.

The step was taken to reduce the examination stress of students. The CBSE also initiated a "continuous, comprehensive evaluation" which will assess the students'' performance on a continuous basis.

Another major step in the education sector came in the passage of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, which was hanging fire for last four years. The landmark Act provides for free and compulsory education as a fundamental right of children in the 6-14 age group.