CBSE makes vocational education compulsory for class 9 students, revises class 10 board exam rules for 2027-28
In short
- Vocational education is now compulsory for Class 9 students starting the 2026-27 academic session, with options for internal assessment or board examination.
- Five subjects will have Class 10 board examinations: R1, R2, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, each requiring a 33% passing score.
- Environmental Education and the interdisciplinary area (Individuals in Society, Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence) are removed from the Class 10 curriculum for this batch.
- Two levels of Mathematics and Science, common and advanced, are introduced for Class 9, discontinuing the previous Basic and Standard structure.
- Requests for subject changes in Class 10 or 12 must be submitted by July 15 of the academic session, with CBSE approval by September 15.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a circular on October 29, 2026, detailing a revised Scheme of Studies for Class 9 students for the academic session 2026-27. These revisions will impact the Class 10 board examinations for the 2027-28 session, introducing compulsory vocational education and altering examination requirements.
The updated framework applies to students currently enrolled in Class 9 during the 2026-27 academic session, with the aim of aligning with the National Education Policy, 2020, and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023. The changes emphasize competency-based, skill-oriented, and multidisciplinary learning, while the existing scheme will continue for students appearing for their Class 10 board examinations in 2026-27.
Compulsory Vocational Education and Board Exam Structure
Under the revised scheme, Class 9 students will study nine compulsory subjects: three languages (R1, R2, R3), Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Art Education, Physical Education and Well-being, and Vocational Education. Students must choose either Kaushal Vikas or one subject from the board’s list of 22 vocational skill subjects for compulsory vocational education.
Kaushal Vikas will be assessed internally by schools, with students receiving a school-issued certificate upon securing at least 33%. Students opting for one of the 22 prescribed skill subjects will appear for a Class 10 board examination, with marks and grades reflected in the board marksheet and an NSQF certificate issued upon successful completion. Five subjects will have Class 10 board examinations: R1, R2, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, each requiring a minimum passing score of 33%.
Changes to Curriculum and Assessment
The revised framework removes Environmental Education from the Class 10 curriculum for this batch. In addition, the interdisciplinary area, including Individuals in Society and Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence modules, will not be portion of the curriculum for these students. However, Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence (CT & AI) will be introduced as structured modules in all schools during 2026-27 and will become a compulsory subject from the 2027-28 session.
The existing Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard examination structure for Class 9 is discontinued from the 2026-27 batch. The revised scheme introduces two levels of Mathematics and Science for Class 9: common examinations and Advanced options. The advanced-level examination will carry 25 marks and be one hour long. Marks obtained in advanced examinations will not be counted for promotion or overall aggregate, but students securing at least 50% will have the achievement reflected on their marksheet.
Promotion Criteria and Subject Change Policy
For promotion to Class 10, students must secure at least 33% separately in internal assessment/practical and external assessment in each of the six main subjects. A minimum of 25% in the annual examination is also required for promotion eligibility. Students failing in up to three of the six main subjects can appear for the compartment examination. Those ineligible for promotion or compartment examination will be declared ‘Essential Repeat’ and will have to repeat Class 9. The academic session for all classes runs from April to March.
A student who does not qualify in a third language during Class 9 can still be promoted to Class 10 if other promotion criteria are met. However, the student must clear the Class 9 R3 assessment while studying in Class 10 to be eligible for the Class 10 Board examination. Requests for subject changes in Class 10 or 12 will be accepted if made before July 15 of the academic session, with CBSE’s approval deadline set for September 15. The last date for submission of the List of Candidates (LOC) with a normal fee is September 30.
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Parent/Candidate to apply for change of subject(s) | Upto 15th July of the academic session |
| School to analyze request | Upto 15th July of the academic session |
| Schools to compile and forward requests to Regional Office | Within 07 days from the date of activity at Sl. No.02 i.e. 21st July |
| Regional Office to communicate deficiency | Within one month from the date of receipt i.e. 20th August |
| Schools to communicate fulfillment of deficiency to Regional Office | Within 07 days from the date of activity at Sl. No.04 i.e. 27th August |
| Last date for according approval by CBSE | 15th September |
| Submission of LOC with normal fee (without late fee) | 30th September |
| Change of subject on account of direct admission after 15th July (government employee transfer) | To be sent to concerned Regional Office so as to reach within 07 days of admission |
| Change of subject on account of direct admission within 07 days of declaration of 1st chance Compartment result by CBSE | To be sent to concerned Regional Office so as to reach within 07 days of admission |
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