CBSE releases a new course for class 10, 12: What changes? Passing criteria, optional topics | You all need to know. Mint

Central board of secondary education) Recently released class 10 and class 12 courses for academic session 2025-2026.

In addition to major changes like class 10 board examination to be held twice, CBSE has also come up with a new grading framework.

The subject required to pass from the exam, from the mark of the calculation process – Livamint 2025-2026 brings you a complete list on all new changes in the academic year.

CBSE Class 10 Board Examination – What Change?

According to the latest notification of CBSE, students of class 10 will now get an opportunity to sit for two board examinations each year-February and April-Educational Years starting from 2025-26.

CBSE Class 10 Marx Count – What’s New?

Previous System: CBSE had five-point grading scale based on full marks

Revised System: The CBSE class 10 examinations for the academic year 2025-26 will follow the 9-point grading system to convert the marks in grade. The board exam will be conducted for 80 marks in each subject, including 20 marks for internal assessment.

CBSE class 10 passing criteria

To pass CBSE Board Class 10 exam, students will have to score at least 33 percent in each subject.

What if a student fails in a main subject

In cases where a student fails in main subjects such as science, mathematics, social science, or a language paper, but passes a skill-based or alternative language subject, the unsuccessful subject will be replaced with the skill or language theme passed for the purpose of the result calculation.

For example, if you fail to score 33 percent in mathematics, but have secured the passing marks in any skill-based papers, maths grade will be replaced by skill-based paper, and the marks obtained.

CBSE Class 10 Board Examination- What are skill-based topics

These are skill-based subjects from where students may have one:

1. Computer application (Code 165),

2. Information Technology (Code 402),

3. Artificial Intelligence (Code 417).

Additionally, students are required to select English or Hindi as one of the languages ​​for classes 9 and 10.

CBSE Class 12 Board Examination starting in February

The CBSE class 12 board exam will still be conducted once a year. The class 12 board exam for 2026 will start from 17 February.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exam: Marx Count

Similar to class 10, the results of class 12 will also be evaluated using a 9-point grading system.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Syllabus: What Change

For the academic year 2025-2026, CBSE has introduced four new skills electives:
1. Land Transport Associate,

2. Electronics and Hardware,

3. Physical activity trainer,

4. Design thinking and innovation.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exam: Use Calculator

Allegedly, CBSE Class 12 Accountancy will allow students to use basic, non-prerogable calculators during CBSE Board Examination 2025 to help manage long financial calculations.