FAQs - PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024

An illustrative list of FAQs has been prepared for reference and clarity on various issues relating to the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. The list has been divided into 3 sections as below:

  • Category A: PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan Overview (SN. 1- 35),
  • Category B: Functionaries Involved in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan - Roles and Responsibilities (SN. 36- 52),
  • Category C: Survey related queries (SN. 53- 65).

      • Category A: PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan Overview (SN. 1- 34),

      Q1. What is PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan?

      Formerly known as the National Achievement Survey (NAS), PARAKH Rashtriya 2024 is the largest, nationwide, sample-based educational survey conducted across India.

      Q2. Why is PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan conducted?

      To provide structured feedback on student learning levels at District, State, and national levels. These inputs are used for policy planning and designing pedagogical interventions to improve quality and ensure equity in learning.

      Q3. What is the date of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      4th December 2024.

      Q4.Is PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan an examination conducted by the school?

      PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan is NOT a school-based examination. It is a system-level assessment conducted on a nationally representative sample that aims to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the school education system in our country.

      Q5. How does PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan provide system level feedback?

      By administering standardized survey to students and collecting information on relevant background variables such as school environment, teaching processes, and student home and background factors.

      Q6. Does PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan provide individual school or student performance scores?

      PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan does not provide individual school or student scores. It provides a summary of performance at the District, State, and National levels, with the district as the unit for reporting

      Q7. Can any school participate in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      No, Only the schools selected in sample can participate.

      Q8. Which are the Grades in which Sarvekshan will be conducted?

      Grades 3,6 and 9

      Q9. Which Ministry conducts the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan?

      PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan is undertaken by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India

      Q10. Which organization under MoE is conducting PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      PARAKH, NCERT in collaboration with CBSE, New Delhi under the aegis of Ministry of Education, (GOI)

      Q11. Which organization is designing assessment framework and tools for PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      National Assessment Centre PARAKH, NCERT

      Q12. What are key curricular areas to be assessed in Grade 3?

      For Grade 3, Foundational stage competencies will be assessed

      Q13. What are key curricular areas to be assessed in Grade 6?

      At the end of preparatory stage, the assessment areas include: Language, Mathematics, and The World Around Us (TWAU) for grade 6.

      Q14. What are curricular areas to be assessed in Grade 9?

      At the end of middle stage, the assessment areas include: Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science for grade 9.

      Q15. What is the student testing load?

      It refers to the total number of test booklets and items that will be administered to each student

      Q16. What are the parameters of surveying?

      PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan is based on stage specific competencies mentioned in the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage and School Education across the key curricular domains in different levels

      Q17. How is PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 framework designed?

      It is carefully designed by the PARAKH NCERT to enhance validity, reliability and interpretability of the derived measures of student learning

      Q18. How many test booklets are there for Grade 3?

      6 test booklets

      Q19. How many total items are there in Grade 3?

      45

      Q20. How many test booklets are there for Grade 6?

      6 test booklets

      Q21. How many total items are there in Grade 6?

      51

      Q22. How many test booklets are there for Grade 9?

      8 test booklets

      Q23. How many total items are there in Grade 9?

      60

      Q24. Where can we see the Assessment Framework?

      Assessment Framework for PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 is available on NCERT:
      https://ncert.nic.in/parakh/index.php?ln=en

      Q25. What are the main objectives considered for determination of Sample Size?

      The main objectives considered for determination of sample size include:

      • Measure student achievement at national level
      • Overall national
      • By gender
      • By rural/ urban
      • By social group
      • By school management
      • Measure student achievement at each state level o Overall state.
      • By gender within state
      • By rural/ urban within state
      • By social group within state
      • By school management within state
      • Measure student achievement at each district level
      • Overall district
      • By gender within district
      • By rural/ urban within district
      • By social group within district
      • By school management within district
      Q26. Which are the sample frames of schools included in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 sampling?

      Four frames in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 (as per UDISE+ 2022-23 data)
      Frsme 1State Government schools Frsme 2Government Aided schools Frsme 3Private Unaided recognized schools Frsme 4Central Government schools

      Q27. What is the maximum number of students to be administered the survey for a Grade in a school?

      30

      Q28. What to do if the enrollment in target grade is less than 30?

      All students of the section will be selected for the Survey

      Q29. What to do if the enrollment in target grade in selected section is more than 30, and it is a single section grade?

      All students of the section will be selected for the Survey

      Q30. What to do if the enrollment in target grade in selected section is more than 30, and there are multiple sections in the grade?

      Field Investigators and Observers will do Section Sampling than Student Sampling as per Sampling procedure defined in Training manual and on the Control Sheet.

      Q31. How would the distribution of test booklets be done to students selected for the survey?

      Packets containing the Assessment Booklet will be pre-arranged as per guidelines

      Q32. How many districts will be covered in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      782 districts (as per UDISE+ Data 2023-24)

      Q33. Which States and UTs are surveyed in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      All States and Union Territories (UTs)

      Q34. How many schools are likely to be surveyed in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      75,565 Unique schools* will be surveyed as per sampling of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024

      Target Grade Number of Schools
      Grade 3 28,361
      Grade 6 27,466
      Grade 9 31,792
      Total 87,619
      * Unique school– School counted as one School whether it only one target Grade or many target Grades selected in sample for Survey
      Q35. How many students are likely to be surveyed in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

      22,94,377 students will be surveyed as per target grade wise details given below:

      Target Grade Enrollment
      Grade 3 6,64,652
      Grade 6 7,23,332
      Grade 9 9,06,393
      Total 22,94,377

      Category B: Functionaries involved in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan- Roles and Responsibilities (SN. 35- 51)

      Q36. What are different Functionaries involved in the conduct of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?
      1. PARAKH NCERT & CBSE at the National level as National Admin for Survey
      2. PARAKH State Level Coordinators (SLCs) at State level (to be appointed by PARAKH-NCERT)
      3. PARAKH District Level Coordinators (DLCs) at District level (to be appointed by SLCs)
      4. Field Investigators at the School level (to be appointed by DLCs for their district)
      5. CBSE Regional Coordinators (RCs) amongst the Regional Directors/officers
      6. CBSE District Level Coordinators (DLCs) at District level (to be appointed by CBSE)
      7. Resource Centre Custodian (RCC) at District level (to be appointed by CBSE)
      8. Observers at the School level (to be appointed by DLCs for their district)
      9. Board Representative at the District level (to be appointed by CBSE)
      10. National Level Observers at the State level (to be appointed by Ministry of Education and PARAKH)
      11. National Level Experts for evidencing PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (to be appointed by MoE and National Assessment Centre PARAKH)
      Q37. What are key Organizations / involved at the national level and their Major role?
      1. Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India – Coordination, Funding and Guidance
      2. PARAKH NCERT - Assessment Development, Translation of survey material, Coordination with States/UTs, Training & Reporting
      3. DDG (Statistics) - Sampling Frame
      4. CBSE - Assessment Administrator
      5. NITI AAYOG - Advisory Support
      Q38. Who are PARAKH SLCs?
      • The State Level Coordinator appointed by PARAKH-NCERT will be SPD, Samagra Shiksha and Director SCERT/Principal SIE.
      • They will have administrative discretion vested in them for ensuring a hassle-free conduct of survey in the State/UT.
      Q39. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of PARAKH SLCs?
      • Act as a key link for coordination between State/UT, the Ministry of Education, NAC PARAKH, CBSE, and District functionaries.
      • The state-level coordinator will appoint State-level co-coordinator/Master trainer for smooth functioning of the survey.
      • Nominate District Level Coordinators (DLCs) for each district in their respective State/UTs and share the list with NAC PARAKH.
      • Issue instructions to DLCs & schools to ensure support in the survey.
      • Extend support (as required) to CBSE in the conduct of the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024.
      Q40. Who are PARAKH DLCs?

      PARAKH District Level Coordinators are the Principal of the DIET and/or the DEO (District Education Officer), In the absence of a DIET, a senior college lecturer or SCERT faculty member may be nominated.

      Q41. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of DLCs (PARAKH)?
      • Would nominate Field Investigators (FIs) required for the conduct of the survey in the sampled school in their district and share the list with NAC PARAKH.
      • Would issue instructions/directives relating to PARAKH 2024 conduct, protocols, training schedules, etc., and ensure mandatory reporting for duty and attending the trainings arranged by the SLCs in coordination with PARAKH NCERT.
      • Conduct the training sessions for Field Investigators.
      Q42. Who are Field Investigators?
      • Field Investigators are nominated by the DLCs.
      • Field Investigators (FIs) should preferably be DIET students, followed by B.Ed./M.Ed. trainees, college students, retired school teachers, Grade 11 students, and trained teachers not working in sampled schools, in that order.
      • Teachers working in schools should not be used as FIs.
      Q43.What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Field Investigators?
      • Attend the training workshop organized by the district level Coordinators in coordination with SCERT and SPD.
      • The FI would coordinate with the Observer/DLC for the conduct of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 as per SoP.
      • Carry out sampling of sections and students in the assigned grade as per the procedure and complete other responsibilities in association with the Observer.
      • The Field Investigator should complete the administration of all tests in the assigned grade on the day of assessment.
      • Complete the Survey Questionnaires, Field Note, and Control Sheet.
      • For Grade III, fill the student information on Test Forms and OMR sheet, and transfer students' responses from the test booklet and PQ to the OMR sheet.
      Q44. To whom will the FI report across different stages of conduct of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan?
      • To the District Level Coordinators (DLCs) - PARAKH during the nomination stage and training.
      • To the District Level Coordinator (DLC) - PARAKH after appointment for the school.
      • To the CBSE Observer a week prior to the survey and also on the day of the survey, reporting at the assigned sampled school.
      • FIs would also take instructions from the CBSE DLC depending on the on-ground situation.
      Q45. Who are CBSE DLCs?

      CBSE District Level Coordinators are generally the principals of the affiliated schools with experience of handling similar assignments. They are appointed by the CBSE HQ.

      Q46. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of CBSE DLCs?
      • Nomination of Observers from local schools.
      • Conduct of training (online/offline) of Observers and others.
      • Regular coordination with the CBSE HQ.
      • Storage/Distribution of materials and collection.
      • Operate a helpdesk in their school for coordination.
      • Ensure smooth conduct of the Survey as per the SoP/Administration Manual.
      Q47. With whom will the PARAKH District Level Coordinator coordinate with?
      • Will coordinate with the SLCs at the nomination stage and during the nomination of Field Investigators.
      • PARAKH DLC would also coordinate with CBSE DLC for resolving issues, if any.
      Q48. Who are CBSE Observers? C

      CBSE Observers are Principals, Vice Principals, PGT, TGT and PRT teachers from affiliated schools. They will be appointed and supervised by the District Level Coordinator (CBSE)

      Q49. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of CBSE Observers?
      • Reporting to assigned sampled school with test material for the conduct of the Survey.
      • Coordinate with the DLCs and FIs in advance prior to survey day.
      • Attend training/capacity building sessions as and when arranged.
      • Conduct/Monitor Survey as per the SoP.
      Q50. Where would or to whom will the Observer report?
      • To the CBSE District Level Coordinator at the nomination stage and after appointment.
      • To the Resource Centre Custodian (RCC)/Custodian on the day of the survey for collection of survey materials and report to the assigned sampled school for distribution of the survey material.
      • Would take instructions from the DLCs (CBSE) at all stages.
      Q51. What is the training strategy for various Functionaries?

      The training for the different Functionaries will be done following a blended approach (Offline and Online as feasible).

      Q52. Who are Board Representative and what is their role?

      They are Board appointed officials (Officials of the Board / institutions in the central Govt./ principals of CBSE affiliated nonsample schools). They would report to the allotted district to monitor the overall functioning of the Survey Team under CBSE DLC and ensure fair conduct of the survey as well as secured movement of survey materials post survey for the designated place. They will be appointed by the CBSE HQ.

      Category C: Survey Tools and Administration Modalities (SN. 52- 64)

      Q53. What do Survey Materials mean?

      It means the Achievement Test Booklets and Background Questionnaires as below

      • Pupil Questionnaire (PQ) – to be filled by sampled students.
      • Teacher Questionnaire (TQ) – to be filled by the subject teacher of the target grade.
      • School Questionnaire (SQ) – to be filled by the school headmaster/principal.
      • OMR Sheets inserted in the booklets.
      • Control Sheet – to be filled by the FI.
      • Sampling Sheet – to be used by the FI for Section and Student Sampling.
      Q54. What help is desired from the Head of the Sampled School for conduct of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?
      1. Provide a bigger room/hall for the conduct of the Survey.
      2. Present class register to the Survey team for sampling and survey administration.
      3. Ensure discipline and a noise-free atmosphere in and around the Survey Room.
      4. Arrange for a room, preferably on the ground floor, keeping in view CWSN cases.
      5. Arrange for a scribe in consultation with the Observer and Field Investigator for CWSN.
      6. Provide extra time (~30 minutes) to complete the survey for CWSN.
      7. Provide suitable furniture to the survey team for managing the survey affairs.
      Q55. Who is responsible for secured storage of Survey Materials?

      Resource Center Custodian (RCC) / CBSE District Level Coordinator (DLC) / Banks RCC may be established either by CBSE at district level or the States and UTs will be establishing the Resource Custody Centres (RCCs) in District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner offices/District Education Officer offices or DIETs.

      Q56. What types of OMR sheets will be used in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?
      • OMRs Achievement test for sampled students.
      • OMRs for PQ for sampled students.
      • OMRs for TQ for subject teachers.
      • OMRs for SQ for school headmaster/principal.
      Q57. Will Background Questionnaires be administered same day?

      Yes

      Q58. How will the OMRs be filled by Grade 3 students?

      The OMRs for Grade 3 will be fill by Field Investigators after completion of the test.

      Q59.Will there be any involvement of SCERT / PARAKH DLCs / CBSE DLC in scanning or data capturing of OMRs?

      No. Scanning will be done centrally by the Administration Agency (CBSE) at a designated place.

      Q60. Can the student take away the test booklets and survey questionnaires after the survey?

      No, the student will hand over the Test Booklets and the OMRs to the Field Investigator/ Observer.

      Q61. When do we need to conduct sampling of a section in the sample school?

      Section Sampling needs to be carried out ONLY if there is more than one section for assigned grades - that is 3,6,9 and in the respective school

      Q62. When do we need to conduct a sampling of students in the sample school?

      Student Sampling needs to be carried out ONLY if there are more than 30 students enrolled in the selected section/class.

      Q64. What to do if the school staff tries to help the student during the survey?

      FI/Observer would prevent such things by politely requesting. In case, unable to do so, they would make a note of such activities as “Unfair Means” in the Field Notes / Control Sheet.

      Q66. Can students or teachers take the survey material home?

      No, the students or teachers cannot take any survey material home

      Q67. Post survey how many packets are required to be created, and what materials should be included in each?

      2 packets,


      Packet 1: Contains all used materials, including the Control Sheet, Monitoring Proforma, Joint Field Notes, and the completed AT, PQ, TQ, and SQ OMR sheets.

      Packet 2: Contains all used and unused test booklets, PQ, TQ, and SQ forms and other survey-related materials.

      NOTE: The exact Action Plan / Strategy and finer details for actual conduct of Survey on the day of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 will be shared only with the Functionaries concerned at an appropriate time so as to maintain the SANCTITY of the survey. An extensive Capacity Building and Training Program is being taken up by the PARAKH-NCERT &, CBSE for all the Functionaries.