How Is the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) Transforming Student Assessment in India?

This is not a distant vision—it is the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) designed under the PARAKH Portal by NCERT.

The HPC is more than a redesigned report card. It represents a fundamental shift in Indian education: moving away from marks-centric evaluation to a comprehensive, competency-based assessment system that values every dimension of a child’s development. By aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the HPC ensures that schools nurture learners who are academically sound, emotionally balanced, socially responsible, and prepared for the demands of the 21st century.

What is the Holistic Progress Card (HPC)?

The Holistic Progress Card is a multidimensional assessment framework that captures the 360-degree progress of students. It includes academic performance, cognitive skills, socio-emotional development, creativity, physical well-being, and life skills. Unlike traditional report cards that only measure knowledge reproduction, the HPC emphasizes competency demonstration, critical thinking, and application of learning in real-life contexts.

Developed by PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), an assessment regulator under NCERT, HPC is designed for all four stages of schooling as envisioned in NEP’s 5+3+3+4 structure:

• Foundational (3–8 years)

• Preparatory (8–11 years)

• Middle (11–14 years)

• Secondary (15–18 years)

This ensures continuity and consistency in how a child’s progress is recorded and shared across their entire schooling journey.

Core Features of HPC

• Competency-Based Assessment: Focuses on what a child can do with knowledge, not just what they remember.

• 360° Feedback System: Incorporates feedback from teachers, parents, peers, and the student (self-assessment).
  
  

• Narrative & Qualitative Descriptions: Moves beyond grades and percentages to include detailed reflections on strengths, challenges, and growth areas.
  
  

• Stage-Specific Templates: Designed differently for Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary stages to match learner needs.
  
  

• Evidence-Based Reporting: Includes portfolios, anecdotal notes, project work, and participation records.
  
  

• Dynamic & Formative Tool: Functions as a working document, updated regularly to guide teaching-learning processes.
  
  

Benefits of HPC for Schools

• Holistic Understanding of Learners: Teachers gain a multi-dimensional view of each child, beyond academics.
  
  

• Improved Learning Outcomes: Students receive timely, constructive feedback that motivates growth.
  
  

• Increased Parental Engagement: Families understand their child’s progress more deeply, beyond marks.
  
  

• Data-Driven Teaching: Continuous review enables schools to refine pedagogical strategies.
  
  

• Positive School Culture: Encourages collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity rather than competition alone.
  
  

Stage-Wise Structure of HPC

1. Foundational Stage (Bal Vatika to Grade 2)

• Focuses on play-based and activity-driven learning.

• Evaluates physical development, language acquisition, socio-emotional growth, and early numeracy.

• Uses tools like pictorial representations, teacher observations, and activity portfolios.
  
  

2. Preparatory Stage (Grades 3–5)

• Emphasizes conceptual understanding and gradual formalization of subjects.

• Tracks creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork through projects and experiential tasks.

• Encourages integration of arts, games, and storytelling with core subjects.
  
  

3. Middle Stage (Grades 6–8)

• Expands to subject specialization and pre-vocational learning.

• HPC includes project-based assessments, peer reviews, and evidence of application in real-life scenarios.

• Tracks critical thinking, communication, and civic awareness.
  
  

4. Secondary Stage (Grades 9–12)

• Focuses on academic depth along with vocational and career-oriented readiness.

• Includes reflection on higher-order thinking skills, interdisciplinary learning, and future-readiness competencies.

• Students also self-assess and document learning evidence through digital portfolios.
  
  

HPC Aligned with SQAAF Domains

1. Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment: Facilitates personalized, differentiated instruction aligned to competencies.
   
   

2. Infrastructure: Encourages adoption of digital platforms for e-portfolios and progress tracking.
   
   

3. Human Resources: Equips teachers with tools and training for competency-based evaluation.
   
   

4. Inclusive Practices: Recognizes diverse learner strengths, making education equitable.
   
   

5. Management and Governance: Provides structured templates and data for decision-making.
   
   

6. Leadership: Empowers school leaders to foster innovation and quality reforms.
   
   

7. Beneficiary Satisfaction: Builds trust by making assessments transparent, meaningful, and motivating.
   
   

Why the Government Supports HPC Implementation

The introduction of HPC is part of India’s vision to make assessments learner-centric, inclusive, and future-oriented. Traditional exams often fail to capture life skills, creativity, and holistic growth. HPC bridges this gap by ensuring:

• Individualized learning journeys that cater to each child’s strengths.

• Timely interventions through continuous review of progress.

• Collaborative evaluation models involving teachers, parents, and students.

• Adaptable frameworks that can be contextualized to different regions and school boards.

By adopting HPC, the government ensures that assessment supports—not hinders—a child’s learning journey.

Explore HPC Portal at : https://parakh.ncert.gov.in/hpc 

In Conclusion

The Holistic Progress Card is more than an administrative tool; it is a paradigm shift in assessment philosophy. It transforms report cards from static records of marks into dynamic reflections of growth and potential. By aligning with NEP 2020 and SQAAF, schools that implement HPC not only meet policy requirements but also cultivate learning environments where every child’s unique abilities are valued and nurtured.

By adopting HPC, schools move from marks to meaning—from grades to growth. It is a step towards an education system that is transformative, inclusive, and future-ready.

To assist schools in their SQAAF Journey, Luneblaze provides a comprehensive AI-enabled end-to-end solution to schools for all their accreditation criteria needs, be it documents & evidence creation, self-assessment filing support on the CBSE SQAAF portal, workflow management, faculty trainings, audits, and consultancy support.