In a bid to encourage students to continue with their studies, the state board from now on will not give negative remarks to those who fail in more than two subjects in their Higher Secondary Certificate examination (HSC). Instead, their mark-sheets will have 'eligible for skill development course' written on them, based on which they will be able to get admissions for such courses under the Maharashtra State Directorate of Vocation Education and Training. While this guideline is already in place for SSC candidates, it will now be implemented for HSC also.

The new guidelines have been introduced by the Skill and Development Department through a government resolution. In the existing system, students who fail in two papers are allowed to keep the term. But those who are unable to clear more than two papers are declared 'failed' and have to appear for re-examination. But as per the new directive, these students will get a chance to save an academic year and take up vocational training.