Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced a new academic elective ‘Applied Mathematics’ for students of class XI and XII who may want to pursue Commerce and Social Sciences at the undergraduate level.
While maintaining that the existing subject of Mathematics at the senior secondary level is an important one that allows students looking to pursue Mathematics and other core Science subjects, it doesn’t quite meet the specific application-based needs of students who wish to pursue Commerce or Social Science subjects.
“It has been observed that the existing syllabus of Mathematics aligns well with Science subjects, but does not align well with Commerce or Social Science-based subjects in university education.”
The new academic elective of ‘Applied Mathematics’ can be taken up by a student in Class XI and XII, if they have cleared Basic Mathematics in class X. Likewise, if the student has cleared both Basic and Standard Mathematics, they can opt for the new academic elective of ‘Applied Mathematics.’
However, CBSE has clarified that students who have only cleared Basic Mathematics in class X, will not be able to take up the original Mathematics course in XI and XII. Additionally, a student must choose between Applied Mathematics and Mathematics and that only one of the two can be opted for.
“ A student who has passed Basic Mathematics at Secondary level can offer Applied Mathematics at Sr Secondary level. This option is now available due to introduction of Applied Mathematics. However, such students cannot offer Mathematics (041) at Sr Secondary Level,” CBSE added
FAQs on Applied Mathematics
The following Frequently Asked Questions have been reproduced verbatim from the CBSE statement.
What is the difference between the subjects of ‘Mathematics (041)’ and‘Applied Mathematics (241)’ at Sr Secondary Level?
The existing Mathematics (041) for Senior Secondary is a course meant for students to pursue pure Mathematics/Physical Sciences/Engineering at University Level. However, there are many students who want to learn Mathematics which is useful for better performance in their selected subjects; ‘Applied Mathematics’ is meant for such students and the curriculum focuses on the Application of Mathematics.
Can a student opt for both ‘Mathematics (041)’ and ‘Applied Mathematics’?
No. There is only one option, either Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.
If a student has passed Basic Mathematics in Grade X, can he/she offer ‘Applied Mathematics’ at Sr Secondary Level?
Yes, a student who has passed Basic Mathematics at Secondary level can offer Applied Mathematics at Sr Secondary level. This option is now available due to introduction of Applied Mathematics. However, such students cannot offer Mathematics (041) at Sr Secondary Level.
Can a student who has passed Standard Mathematics in Grade X offer Applied Mathematics at Sr Secondary level ?
Yes. A student who has passed Standard Mathematics in class X can also offer Applied Mathematics at Sr Secondary Level.
Is Applied Mathematics a skill subject or Academic elective study?
The earlier skill subject by the same name, that is, Applied Mathematics will be discontinued from the Academic session 2020-21. Class XI standard students under Skill Education Scheme of Applied Mathematics in the academic session 2019-20, will now be allowed to opt only for Academic Elective subject of Applied Mathematics in the session 2020-21.
I took Applied Mathematics (840) as Skill subject in Grade XI. Now I am in Grade XII. What happens now?
All the students who have offered Applied Mathematics (840) as a Skill subject at class XI can automatically offer it as an Academic elective in class XII.
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