CBSE Class 10 guide
The Class 10 board examinations for the 2026–27 session, from CBSE’s own scheme, curriculum and circulars — the two examinations, the subjects and marks, and how grades are awarded.
- Conducted by
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Main examination
- From mid-February; compulsory, except special categories
- Second examination
- In May; improvement in up to three subjects
- Compulsory subjects
- Two languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Science
- Marks per subject
- 80 board paper (3 hours) + 20 internal assessment
- Grading
- 9-point scale
What are the CBSE Class 10 board examinations?
Under CBSE’s scheme from 2026, Class 10 has two board examinations: a main examination from mid-February, compulsory apart from the scheme’s special categories, and a second examination in May for improving up to three subjects.
The scheme’s special categories: sports students may appear in the second examination in subjects whose examinations coincide with their sports event, and students of winter-bound schools may choose either the first or the second examination in the subjects offered.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbse.gov.in (official document)
Who can sit the CBSE Class 10 board examination?
A regular student needs at least 75% attendance, under CBSE’s Examination Bye-Laws, to sit the Class 10 board examination. CBSE allows a 25% relaxation only for exigencies such as medical emergencies or national and international sports events.
The rule is set by Rules 13 and 14 of CBSE’s Examination Bye-Laws, which CBSE’s attendance circular of 4 August 2025 (for 2025–26) restates.
| Attendance | At least 75% under Rules 13 and 14 of the Examination Bye-Laws, with a 25% relaxation only for exigencies |
|---|---|
| Main examination | Compulsory, except for the special categories below |
| Sports students | May appear in the second examination in subjects whose examinations coincide with their sports event |
| Winter-bound schools | Students may choose to appear in either the first or the second examination in the subjects offered |
| Second examination | Passed and eligible students, to improve in up to three of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages |
| Missed subjects | A student who did not appear in three or more subjects of the main examination cannot sit the second, and is placed in “Essential Repeat” |
| Compartment | A student whose main-examination result is Compartment may sit the second examination under the Compartment category |
| Second-examination LOC | Filled in separately; no new names are added to it |
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbse.gov.in (official document)
How is the CBSE Class 10 board examination marked?
Each compulsory subject — two languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science — carries 100 marks: 80 in a three-hour board paper and 20 in school-based internal assessment. A student may take up to seven subjects.
| Subject | Board paper | Internal |
|---|---|---|
| Language 1 | 80 marks, 3 hours | 20 marks |
| Language 2 | 80 marks, 3 hours | 20 marks |
| Mathematics (Standard or Basic) | 80 marks, 3 hours | 20 marks |
| Science | 80 marks, 3 hours | 20 marks |
| Social Science | 80 marks, 3 hours | 20 marks |
Internal: school-based internal assessment.
Up to seven subjects in the 2027 board examination: five compulsory and two optional.
Students in Class X in 2026–27 continue under the existing scheme and may opt for Mathematics Basic.
| Examination | When | Who sits it |
|---|---|---|
| Main (first) | From mid-February | Every student, except the special categories (sports students, winter-bound schools) |
| Second | May | Passed and eligible students improving up to three main subjects, and Compartment candidates |
Both examinations are conducted on the full syllabus for the year.
Internal assessment is conducted only once, before the main examination.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbseacademic.nic.in (official document)
Where is the CBSE Class 10 syllabus for 2026–27?
On CBSE’s Curriculum 2026–27 page at cbseacademic.nic.in: a Secondary introduction setting the scheme of studies, assessment and grading, then a separate curriculum document for each subject.
- Language 1
- Language 2
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbseacademic.nic.in
What kind of questions are in CBSE Class 10 board papers?
CBSE’s 2026–27 curriculum says approximately 50% of questions are competency-focused — case-based, source-based, integrated, data-interpretation, situational and application-oriented. The rest are multiple-choice and short- and long-answer questions.
CBSE adds that this structure may be reviewed periodically, and that each board paper covers the entire Class X syllabus.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbseacademic.nic.in (official document)
CBSE Class 10 boards at Zigyan
Zigyan prepares students for the CBSE Class 10 board examinations. Boards are one of the target examinations listed for the Class X Excellence programme.
CBSE Class 10, answered
Is the second CBSE Class 10 board examination compulsory?
No. The first (main) examination is compulsory, except for the scheme’s special categories such as sports students and winter-bound schools. The second is for passed and eligible students improving in up to three of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages.
The scheme’s special categories: sports students may appear in the second examination in subjects whose examinations coincide with their sports event, and students of winter-bound schools may choose either the first or the second examination in the subjects offered.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbse.gov.in (official document)
What if a student misses three or more subjects in the main examination?
They cannot appear in the second examination. CBSE places such students in the “Essential Repeat” category, and they take the main examination in February the following year.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbse.gov.in (official document)
Which result counted in 2026 for a student who sat both examinations?
The better of the two. CBSE’s press release of 18 July 2026 states that, for regular students of 2026, the better of the two performances is considered for preparing the final result.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbse.gov.in (official document)
What is the pass mark in CBSE Class 10?
CBSE’s 2026–27 curriculum requires a minimum of 33% marks in a subject, “calculated on the combined total of Internal Assessment and External Examination marks, as per the prescribed scheme”.
The same sentence also says the 33% is secured “separately in external and internal assessments”, so check the curriculum document for how the Board applies it.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbseacademic.nic.in (official document)
How are CBSE Class 10 grades awarded?
On a 9-point scale in each subject: CBSE ranks the passed students and awards A-1 to the top one-eighth, then A-2, B-1, B-2, C-1, C-2, D-1 and D-2 by eighths; E* means Essential Repeat.
CBSE uses this method in subjects where more than 500 candidates have passed.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbseacademic.nic.in (official document)
Does the 2026–27 Class 10 batch need a third language?
No. CBSE’s Circular Acad-49/2026 of 10 July 2026 says students in Class X during 2026–27 continue with the old system of two languages, and no third language is required of this batch.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbseacademic.nic.in (official document)
Where are CBSE Class 10 sample question papers published?
On cbseacademic.nic.in. When this guide was checked on 14 September 2026, the most recent Class X sample question papers listed there were for 2025–26.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: cbseacademic.nic.in
Official sources
Every fact in this guide was read from the conducting bodies’ own pages and documents. Confirm on them before you rely on a date or rule — they change from cycle to cycle.
- Curriculum 2026–27 — CBSE Academic
- Secondary curriculum 2026–27, introduction (PDF)
- Examination circulars — CBSE
- Scheme of two board examinations in Class X, 25 June 2025 (PDF)
- Clarification on the second examination, 14 February 2026 (PDF)
- Circular Acad-49/2026 on the three-language scheme (PDF)
- Sample question papers, Class X 2025–26 — CBSE Academic
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