The Presidential Fitness Test has been reinstated in public schools by US President Donald Trump. The sit-up, push-up, pull-up, and sit-and-reach tests were first implemented in the 1950s to assess youth athleticism and health. The Presidential Fitness Award was given to the best performers as part of a competitive element.
What is ACTIVE CISCE?
In India, as well, the country’s two national education boards have launched targeted initiatives in response to alarming health concerns among school-going students, particularly the rise in obesity. ACTIVE CISCE is a new initiative by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) to promote holistic student fitness and well-being.
It involves incorporating a structured physical education curriculum for students in Classes 1 through 12. Personalized fitness report cards, a web portal for tracking fitness, and integration with academic performance are all part of the program.
This marks India’s first structured and visual attempt to bring conversations about sugar intake, physical activity, and dietary awareness directly into classrooms and cafeterias.
A small annual fee of 100 yen per student will be added to support the initiative’s implementation. This fee will be paid by the school through the CAREERS portal at the time of student registration. By September 30, 2025, schools are required to complete the registration process for all students.
Schools all over India are implementing concrete responses to the CBSE and CISCE directives:
- CBSE has asked affiliated schools to display Sugar Boards and Oil Boards with infographics and clear messaging about healthy eating.
- CISCE has launched the ACTIVE CISCE platform to track students’ fitness from Classes 1 to 12, providing each child with a personalized fitness report card based on age and gender.
In alignment with the mandate of NEP 2020 and the visionary campaigns of the Fit India Movement and Khelo India, CISCE recognises the crucial role of physical fitness in enhancing overall well-being and academic performance. Schools will have access to a standardized framework for evaluating, monitoring, and enhancing students’ physical health thanks to this program.
Certificates of Fitness Personalized
The CISCE Physical Health and Fitness Assessment Programme Web Portal is a revolutionary tool that will give schools the ability to regularly monitor and promote students’ physical health in Classes I through XII. All students in any school board in India will receive individualized Fitness Report Cards and Fitness Indexes that are in line with the developmental goals for their age group and gender for the first time. We do this to ensure that every child is motivated to lead an active life and to develop healthy, disciplined, resilient, and joyful habits that last a lifetime.
In light of recent reports from the World Health Organization highlighting the alarming rise in sedentary behaviors among children between the ages of 5 and 18 worldwide and in India, this initiative gains further relevance.
