CBSE clarifies Class 10 passing criteria for 2026-27, confirms old assessment pattern will continue

CBSE has clarified that the Class 10 passing criteria for the 2026-27 academic session will remain unchanged, ending confusion over whether students would need to secure separate passing marks in internal assessment and board examinations.

Under the existing system, Class 10 students need to secure 33% marks overall in a subject, with their performance in the internal assessment and external examination considered together. The assessment pattern will continue to follow the 80:20 structure used during the 2025-26 academic session.

The clarification followed confusion among students, parents and teachers over the wording in CBSE’s Secondary School Curriculum for Classes 9 and 10 for 2026-27. A provision in the curriculum document had stated that students must secure a minimum of 33% marks separately in external and internal assessments, calculated on the combined total.

“To be declared successful in a subject, a student must secure a minimum of 33 % marks separately in external and internal assessments, calculated on the combined total of Internal Assessment and External Examination marks, as per the prescribed scheme. Subjects assessed entirely through internal assessment shall follow the specific guidelines notified separately, along with their curriculum.”

According to the assessment structure for Classes 9 and 10, the CBSE board examination accounts for 80 marks, while internal assessment carries 20 marks. Students are required to appear for and complete both components.

“The final result of the student shall be determined by combining performance in both the External Examination and the Internal Assessment. Students are required to appear in and complete both components of assessment,” the circular read.

However, CBSE has now clarified that the wording does not represent a change in the passing requirement for Class 10 students. The board confirmed that the criteria applicable during the 2025-26 academic session will continue for 2026-27.

The issue was also raised during a CBSE webinar on “Relevance of Registration & LOC” held at the board’s headquarters earlier this week. A teacher from a private school in Sonipat, Haryana, sought clarification on the passing requirement after the curriculum document created confusion among schools and students.

Responding to the query, a CBSE official explained the distinction between the requirements for Class 10 and Class 12.

“In Class 10, combining both internal assessment and exams, students should score 33%. While in Class 12, 33% marks separately in practicals and exams. Earlier, it was decided, but we have withdrawn it. We are continuing with the old one because a lot of changes are coming, so we wanted to bring all the changes in one go later on. Right now, the old one will be followed.”

CBSE has also informed the heads of its affiliated schools about the assessment pattern and question paper design for the 2026-27 academic session.

In a notification issued on Sept 21, the board said its Sample Question Papers (SQPs) and Marking Schemes (MS) for Classes 10 and 12 are intended to provide a broad template for question papers and support uniformity and coverage of the prescribed curriculum.

“The Board issues Sample Question Papers (SQPs) and Marking Schemes (MS) for classes 10 and 12 to provide a broad template and serve as a guide for ensuring uniformity and proper coverage of the curricula.

“Further, SQPs give a broad understanding of the question paper design and need to be used for classroom teaching and learning activities with an overall focus on promoting the application of concepts in real-life…”

The board also reiterated that there would be no change in the question paper design or assessment pattern for the upcoming academic session.

“There is no change in the question paper design and assessment pattern for the Academic Session 2026-27. The passing criteria will remain the same as those applicable during the Academic Session 2025-26,” it said.

For Class 10 students, this means the existing system will continue, with internal assessment and external examination marks combined for determining the final subject result. Students will still need to meet the prescribed overall passing requirement of 33% in a subject.

CBSE’s clarification also distinguishes the Class 10 requirement from the separate passing provisions applicable to Class 12, where practical and examination components have different requirements.

The board official said a proposed change concerning separate passing marks for Class 12 had also been withdrawn for now, with the existing format continuing until broader changes are introduced together.