In a positive development for Class 10 students, parents, and educational institutions, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has confirmed that the passing criteria will remain unchanged. Students will still be required to achieve a combined score of 33 percent from their internal assessments and board examinations, rather than needing to secure 33 percent in each component individually, as was mandated in the previous academic year.
The clarification from CBSE follows a wave of confusion among educators and students triggered by the ‘secondary school curriculum for class 9-10 (part-1) for 2026-27’. The board reiterated that to be considered successful in a subject, a student must attain a minimum of 33 percent marks when both internal and external assessments are combined, consistent with the established guidelines. For subjects evaluated solely through internal assessment, specific rules will be communicated alongside the respective curriculum.
According to the assessment framework for classes IX and X, the main examination set by CBSE accounts for 80 marks, while internal assessments contribute 20 marks. The final grade for each student will be determined by their performance in both the external exam and internal assessments, and students are required to participate in both evaluation components, as outlined in the official circular.
Due to lingering confusion regarding these passing criteria, CBSE has reassured that there will be no alterations to the assessment pattern for Class 10, which will remain consistent with the standards established in the 2025-26 academic year. This issue was highlighted by a teacher from a private institution in Sonipat, Haryana, during a CBSE-hosted webinar on “Relevance of Registration & LOC” held earlier this week, where they sought clarification on the matter.
A CBSE representative responded, stating, “For Class 10, students must achieve a combined score of 33 percent from both internal assessments and exams. In contrast, for Class 12, students are required to obtain 33 percent separately in practicals and exams. This decision has been reverted; we will adhere to the previous criteria to facilitate upcoming changes, which will be implemented comprehensively later.”
On September 21, CBSE also communicated with school heads affiliated with the board, announcing the release of Sample Question Papers (SQPs) and Marking Schemes (MS) for classes 10 and 12. These resources are intended to provide a framework and guide to ensure consistency and comprehensive coverage of the curricula.
The SQPs are designed to offer an overview of the question paper format and should be utilized in classroom instruction and educational activities, with an emphasis on applying concepts to real-life situations. Furthermore, CBSE confirmed that there will be no modifications to the question paper structure or assessment methodology for the Academic Session 2026-27, maintaining the same passing criteria as applied during the 2025-26 academic year.
