Proposed subject-wise requirement deferred

CBSE has put on hold its proposed change that would have required Class 10 students to secure at least 33% marks separately in every subject. The existing passing framework followed during the 2025–26 academic year will remain applicable for the upcoming session.

The board has also confirmed that there will be no change in the question-paper format or the assessment pattern for the 2026–27 academic session.

Earlier, while announcing the Secondary School Curriculum for 2026–27, CBSE had proposed that students would need to meet the 33% threshold independently in each subject. The proposed rule was intended to apply to both the written board examination and internal assessment.

How the current system works

Under the existing arrangement, students are assessed on their combined performance rather than being required to achieve the minimum threshold separately in every component.

For most subjects, CBSE follows an 80:20 assessment structure. The written board examination accounts for 80 marks, while the remaining 20 marks come from internal assessment.

Schools generally determine internal assessment marks through periodic tests, projects and subject-related enrichment activities. The external component is evaluated through the written board examination.

Possible introduction in 2027–28

The decision to retain the current system does not necessarily mean that the proposed change has been abandoned permanently. A government education official indicated that the subject-wise requirement could be considered again for the 2027–28 academic session.

The decision comes after CBSE faced criticism following changes made to its assessment procedures. Earlier this year, the introduction of an on-screen marking system was followed by concerns about evaluation and delays in the declaration of Class 12 results.

Educators had also raised concerns about introducing another major assessment change within a short period.

Potential impact on pass percentage

Under the existing system, marks obtained through internal assessment can contribute significantly toward a student's overall result. Consequently, students who perform reasonably well in school-based assessments may require a comparatively lower score in the written examination to meet the overall passing requirement.

Some teachers had expressed concern that a separate minimum requirement for every subject could have affected the overall pass percentage if the proposed system had been implemented immediately.

CBSE clarifies the position

The issue was discussed during a CBSE webinar concerning the submission of the List of Candidates for the 2027 board examinations and the correction of students' demographic information.

During the session, CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj confirmed that the earlier proposal requiring students to meet the 33% threshold separately in individual subjects had been withdrawn. The existing framework combining theory and internal assessment will therefore continue for Class 10 students.

Registration process continues

CBSE has already started the List of Candidates process for students appearing in the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations in 2027. Schools have been asked to carefully verify student information while completing registration and submitting candidate details.

The next stage of the registration process is expected to begin soon.