The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced new guidelines regarding the examination structure for students taking the Class 10 board examinations in 2028. According to a recent circular issued on Thursday, students will be required to sit for examinations in five compulsory subjects, with the option to take an additional vocational skill subject. This provision aims to assist students who may not pass in Mathematics, Science, or Social Science.

This circular specifically applies to students currently enrolled in Class 9 during the 2026-27 academic session, who will advance to Class 10 in 2027-28. It is important to note that these revised rules will not affect students presently studying in Class 10 during the same academic year.

The five compulsory subjects for the board examinations include Language 1 (R1), Language 2 (R2), Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. In total, students will study nine compulsory subjects, which also encompass a third language (R3), Art Education, Physical Education and Well-being, and Vocational Education.

Vocational Education and Subject Replacement

A significant aspect of the new rules is the inclusion of vocational skill education as a compulsory curricular area. Students may choose from ‘Kaushal Vikas’ or select from a list of 22 skill subjects provided by the Board. If a student passes one of these skill subjects and scores below 33 per cent in Mathematics, Science, or Social Science, the skill subject can be used to replace the failed subject when calculating the overall result.

This replacement option is contingent upon students opting for one of the 22 specified skill subjects, as those who choose Kaushal Vikas will not qualify for this benefit. The Board has clarified that this provision is designed to offer an alternative pathway for students facing challenges in traditional subjects.

The 22 skill subjects available for selection include Retail, Information Technology, Security, Automotive, and several others. Students who successfully complete these subjects will receive a certificate under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), and their marks will be reflected in the CBSE marksheet.

Assessment Pathways and Curriculum Changes

CBSE has outlined two distinct assessment pathways for vocational education. Students opting for Kaushal Vikas will be evaluated through internal assessments conducted by their schools and will not need to take a separate board examination. Those achieving at least 33 per cent in the internal assessment will receive a certificate from their respective schools.

Conversely, students selecting one of the 22 notified skill subjects must appear for a board examination in that subject. They will also be eligible for the subject-replacement provision, provided they meet the conditions set by CBSE.

In addition to the examination structure, CBSE has announced modifications to the curriculum for the 2028 Class 10 batch. The subjects ‘Individuals in Society’ and the modules on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Class 9 will be excluded for these students. Environmental Education in Class 10 will also not be part of the curriculum during the 2027-28 academic year. These changes aim to align the introduction of interdisciplinary curricular areas with the implementation schedule.

The recent circular serves to inform schools, students, and parents about the academic and examination requirements for the upcoming Class 10 board examinations in 2028, ensuring that all stakeholders are adequately prepared for the changes ahead.

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