Fail maths, still pass Class 10; CBSE offers students a lifeline

New Delhi: Students struggling with Mathematics, Science and Social Science in Class 10 will get a major relief under a new CBSE provision allowing marks in certain skill subjects to replace a failed core subject, according to reports.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the revised examination structure for students currently studying in Class 9 during the 2026-27 academic year. The changes will apply to the 2028 Class 10 board examinations and will not affect the current Class 10 batch.

Students will have five compulsory board-examination subjects: two languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. They will also study other curricular subjects, including a third language, Art Education, Physical Education and vocational education.

Vocational education will remain compulsory. Students can fulfil this requirement by choosing either Kaushal Vikas or one of the 22 skill subjects notified by the board. These include Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Retail, Healthcare and Financial Markets.

Students opting for the 22 skill subjects must take a separate board examination and will receive an NSQF certificate upon passing.

Under the replacement provision, students who pass their chosen skill subject but fail in any one of Mathematics, Science or Social Science can use the skill-subject marks in place of the failed paper. The facility is not available to students choosing Kaushal Vikas.

Students must secure at least 33 per cent in each compulsory subject, calculated as the sum of board examination and internal assessment marks.

CBSE has also excluded the Individuals in Society, CT, and AI modules, as well as Environmental Education, from the curriculum for the affected batches.