CBSE Class 9 Scheme: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced changes to the Class 10 syllabus and marking scheme, effective from the 2027-28 academic session. Under the new regulations, vocational education will be mandatory. A ‘skill subject’ could provide relief if a student fails in Mathematics, Science, or Social Science. Read on to learn about the new rules and the examination pattern.

CBSE Class 9 Scheme 2026-27: The CBSE has issued new guidelines regarding subjects and the examination pattern for Classes 9 and 10. In the scheme released on October 29, the Board outlined provisions for vocational and optional subjects, requiring students to study a total of nine mandatory subjects.

According to the new rules, Class 10 students will no longer be required to study ‘Environmental Education’. Furthermore, the modules on ‘Individuals in Society’, ‘Computational Thinking’ (CT), and ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) have been removed from the Class 9 syllabus. However, the existing system will continue to apply to current Class 10 students for the time being.

Board examinations to be held for five subjects in Class 10

Under the new CBSE framework, five subjects will be mandatory for the Class 10 board examinations starting in the 2027-28 academic year. These include the first language (R1), second language (R2), Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Appearing for board examinations in all five of these subjects is compulsory. Additionally, students may choose an optional subject; the Board has provided a list of 57 such subjects. Depending on their interests, students can select an option from areas such as languages, computer applications, home science, painting, music, or business-related subjects.

Vocational education to be mandatory; 22 skill subjects offered as options

The CBSE has made vocational education mandatory for students. For this, students will have two options: they can either choose a ‘Skill Development’ subject or select one from the 22 skill-based subjects prescribed by the Board. These subjects include options such as Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Retail, Healthcare, Banking and Insurance, Tourism, Agriculture, and Design Thinking.

The assessment methods for these two options differ. Students who choose a ‘Skill Development’ subject will be assessed at the school level and will not be required to take a Class 10 Board examination for it. Conversely, students who opt for one of the 22 skill-based subjects must appear for the Board examination for that specific subject. Upon successfully passing the examination, their marks and grades will be recorded on the Board mark sheet, and they will also be awarded an NSQF certificate.

Requirement of 33% Marks in Five Subjects

Under the new system, students must secure at least 33% marks in each of the five mandatory Board examination subjects. The final result will be determined by combining the marks obtained in the Board examination and the internal assessment. For instance, if a student scores 24 out of 80 in the Board examination and 9 out of 20 in the internal assessment, their total will be 33, qualifying them as ‘pass’ in that subject.

Relief Through Optional Subjects in Case of Failure

The CBSE also provides students with the option to change subjects. If a student fails in one of the subjects—Mathematics, Science, or Social Science—but passes their chosen skill-based subject, the failed subject can be replaced by the skill-based subject, subject to the prescribed rules. However, this facility is not available to students who have opted for a ‘Skill Development’ subject.

Similarly, if a student fails in their first or second language, that subject can be replaced by an optional language in which they have passed. Furthermore, the third language (R3), Art Education, and Physical Education & Well-being will be assessed at the school level. For Art Education and Physical Education, grades will be awarded instead of numerical marks. Certain relaxations in the selection of subjects have also been provided for Children with Special Needs (CwSN). Students and parents should carefully read the new guidelines issued by the CBSE before selecting their subjects.