Internal assessment as visualized in important documents in India

The introduction of internal assessment system has been in vogue since long at school stage and in certain professional courses, IITs, Agricultural Universities and private universities etc. But except for practical component, it has generally been absent in traditional academic universities. In 2009 University Grants Commission urged all the Vice-Chancellors to introduce the component of internal assessment in their universities as a part of examination reforms. As a result, nearly all universities in India have implemented internal assessment system in all the courses at undergraduate and postgraduate stage mostly in partial mode. In this context, it becomes relevant to know how the internal assessment has been visualized in important documents such as Reports of different Commissions, Committees, Policies, Working Groups as well as National Curriculum Frameworks, Important Workshops and Five Year Plans etc. This will help to have a mature understanding of the concept of internal assessment, to provide insight among researchers to study different aspects of internal assessment and work out feasible and effective strategies for the implementation of the concept. The paper concludes that all the documents have strongly advocated the introduction of internal assessment component at all levels of education, though in varying degree. The external examinations have also been considered important. However, some documents recommend the use of component of internal assessment with caution or with a rider in order to discourage institutions and teachers from its misuse.