The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a national-level board of education in India for public and private schools, controlled and managed by the Government of India. Established in 1929 by a government resolution, the Board was an experiment in inter-state integration and cooperation in the sphere of secondary education. There are more than 27,000 schools in India and 240 schools in 28 foreign countries affiliated with the CBSE. All schools affiliated with CBSE follow the NCERT curriculum, especially those in classes 9 to 12. The current Chairperson of CBSE is Rahul Singh, IAS.
The constitution of the Board was amended in 1952 to give its present name, the Central Board of Secondary Education. The Board was reconstituted on 1 July 1962 to make its services available to students and various educational institutions across the country.
Watch the official video to understand the key changes:
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Key Changes Overview:
📌 Dual Attempts
From the academic year of 2025-26, Class 10 students of CBSE will be able to sit for two board exams every year. The exams are slated to be held twice, once in February and once in April/May. The second attempt will be optional and offers a chance for improvement of scores.
📌 Emphasis On Competency
Under the new guidelines, rote memorisation has been confined to the margins, and conceptual clarity has taken precedence. Analytical questions and methodical answer writing have been emphasised.
📌 Use of Advanced Learning Tools
Use of advanced learning tools in the brave new world is being encouraged. Adoption of Artificial Intelligence, online resources, and personalised learning methods among teachers can help steer progress among students and give way to unconventional yet impactful educational insights.
Core Subjects Marking Pattern (100 marks each):
| Subject | Total | Theory | Internal Assessment | Duration | Theory Breakdown |
|---|
| English (Language) | 100 | 80 | 20 | 3 Hours | Reading (20) + Writing (30) + Grammar (15) + Literature (15) |
| Hindi (Language) | 100 | 80 | 20 | 3 Hours | Reading (20) + Writing (30) + Grammar (15) + Literature (15) |
| Mathematics | 100 | 80 | 20 | 3 Hours | Section A (40) + Section B (40) |
| Science | 100 | 80 | 20 | 3 Hours | Physics (27) + Chemistry (27) + Biology (26) |
| Social Science | 100 | 80 | 20 | 3 Hours | History (20) + Geography (20) + Civics (20) + Economics (20) |
Internal Assessment Breakdown (20 marks)
Universal Components for All Subjects:
| Component | Marks | Description |
|---|
| Periodic Tests/Quizzes | 5 | Monthly or regular assessment tests |
| Assignments/Homework | 5 | Regular assignments and practice work |
| Project Work | 5 | Subject-related projects and research |
| Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation | 5 | Class participation, attendance, behavior |
Subject-Specific Internal Assessment
Science Subject (20 marks):
| Component | Marks |
|---|
| Practical Work (Experiments) | 10 |
| Record Book & Models | 5 |
| Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation | 5 |
Social Science Subject (20 marks):
| Component | Marks |
|---|
| Map Work | 5 |
| Project Work | 10 |
| Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation | 5 |
Theory Examination Question Types Distribution
| Question Type | Percentage | Marks (out of 80) | Description |
|---|
| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) | 20% | 16 | 1 mark each, competency-based |
| Short Answer Questions (1-3 marks) | 30% | 24 | Brief answers requiring conceptual understanding |
| Long Answer Questions (3-5 marks) | 50% | 40 | Detailed answers requiring analysis and application |
Note: 50% of questions are competency-based, emphasizing conceptual clarity over rote memorization. Passing marks: 33 out of 100.
CBSE Grade Conversion Table (9-Point Scale):
| Percentage Range | Grade | Grade Point | Interpretation | Performance Level |
|---|
| 91-100 | A1 | 10 | Outstanding | Exceptional performance, excellent command of subject |
| 81-90 | A2 | 9 | Excellent | Very good performance, strong conceptual understanding |
| 71-80 | B1 | 8 | Very Good | Good performance, solid grasp of concepts |
| 61-70 | B2 | 7 | Good | Satisfactory performance, adequate understanding |
| 51-60 | C1 | 6 | Satisfactory | Average performance, basic understanding present |
| 41-50 | C2 | 5 | Needs Improvement | Below average, requires additional effort |
| 33-40 | D | 4 | Pass | Minimum passing level, significant gaps in understanding |
| Below 33 | E | 0 | Fail | Not achieved minimum standards, needs to reappear |
CGPA Calculation & Conversion
How CGPA is Calculated:
| Component | Description |
|---|
| Subject Grade Points | Average of grade points obtained in all subjects |
| CGPA Formula | Sum of all subject grade points ÷ Number of subjects |
| CGPA to Percentage | CGPA × 9.5 = Percentage (out of 100) |
| Example | CGPA 8.5 = 8.5 × 9.5 = 80.75% (approximately 81%) |
Key Points About Grading System
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Grading Scale | 9-point scale (0-10 grade points) |
| Passing Grade | Grade D (33-40%) - Minimum passing requirement |
| Distinction | Grade A1 (91-100%) - Highest achievement level |
| Holistic Evaluation | Grades reflect both theory (80%) and internal assessment (20%) |
| Subject-wise Grades | Each subject receives individual grade based on 100 marks |
| Overall CGPA | Cumulative Grade Point Average across all subjects |
| Improvement Attempts | Students can appear for Phase 2 exam to improve grades |
| Final Result | Better score from Phase 1 or Phase 2 is considered |
Important Notes:
- Grades are awarded based on the 9-point scale for each subject
- CGPA is calculated as the average of grade points across all subjects
- Percentage can be calculated by multiplying CGPA by 9.5
- No negative marking or minimum marks requirement per subject
- Students need to score minimum 33% overall to pass
- Dual attempt system (Phase 1 & Phase 2) allows students to improve their scores
The CBSE Class 10 examination follows a comprehensive assessment pattern that evaluates students' understanding of concepts, application skills, and practical knowledge. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation and time management during the examination.
Overall Exam Structure:
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Total Marks | 100 marks |
| Theory Examination | 80 marks |
| Internal Assessment / Project Work | 20 marks |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (Most subjects) / 2 hours (Skill subjects) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Passing Marks | 33/100 (33%) |
| Number of Subjects | 5-6 subjects (Core + Elective) |
| Exam Attempts | Two attempts per year (Phase 1 & Phase 2) |
🔑 Key Point: 50% of questions are based on competencies and skills, while 50% are based on content knowledge. This emphasizes conceptual understanding over rote memorization.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) releases the admit card (also known as hall ticket) a few weeks before the examination. The admit card is one of the most important documents that students must carry to the examination centre. Without an admit card, no entry will be permitted to students.
Admit Card Release Dates:
| Phase | Admit Card Release Date | Exam Period |
|---|
| Phase 1 (Main Exam) | February 3, 2026 | February 17 - March 11, 2026 |
| Phase 2 (Improvement Exam) | April 22, 2026 (Tentative) | May 15 - June 1, 2026 |
⚠️ Important: The admit card is a mandatory document. Students must carry it to the examination centre without fail. Check all details carefully before the exam day.
Year-wise CBSE Class 10 Exam Candidates Data:
| Year | Registered Students | Appeared Students | Passed Students | Pass Percentage |
|---|
| 2023 | ~2,200,000 | ~2,150,000 | ~2,000,000 | 93.12% |
| 2024 | 2,251,812 | 2,200,000 | 2,060,000 | 93.60% |
| 2025 | 2,385,079 | 2,371,939 | 2,221,636 | 93.65% |
| 2026 | 26,60,000 | 25,00,000* | *Awaiting Results | *Awaiting Results |
*2026 figures are actual data from Phase 1 exams (February 17 - March 11, 2026). Gender distribution: ~14 lakh boys and ~10.9 lakh girls. Passed students and pass percentage will be available after results are declared (expected around May 11, 2026).