Schools and universities in India have been shut since March 16 to check spread of COVID-19.
A decision will be taken by Thursday on Class 12 exams in schools under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CICSE), the government told the Supreme Court today.
The Supreme Court said it would hear petitions related to the exams the same day.
"The decision making process (by Ministry of Human Resource Development) is at an advance stage and would be finalised by Thursday," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBSE and the Central government, said.
A group of parents had filed petitions asking that the board exams scheduled from July 1 to 15 be cancelled because of rising coronavirus cases.
The decision will also have a bearing on how the CICSE, popularly called ICSE, conducts the remaining exams for classes 10 and 12.
The Bombay High Court deferred its hearing after the education board said it "will broadly follow the CBSE decision" conveyed to the Supreme Court.
The CICSE had earlier decided to give the students an option to either physically appear for the remaining class 10 and 12 exams or have their performance evaluated on the basis of internal exams.
The court said the board was at liberty to tweak the CBSE order and make an "informed decision".
A revision in how the CBSE conducts class 12 exams will also affect competitive examinations.
While engineering entrance exam JEE-Mains is scheduled from July 18-23, medical entrance exam NEET is to be held on July 26.
"A decision about the two exams will also be taken in accordance with the decision on board exams," an official said.
Schools and universities across the country have been shut since March 16, when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as part of measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
While the government has eased several restrictions in phases, schools and colleges remain closed.
(With inputs from Agencies)