CBSE conducted the CBSE Class 10 2026 exam from Feb 17 to Mar 11. The Board awards grace marks in Class 10 at its discretion. This is done to help students who narrowly miss the 33% passing marks in one or two subjects.
Grace Marks in CBSE Class 10 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the CBSE 10th result 2026 on April 15, 2026. The students who had appeared for the CBSE class 10th exams this year can check their CBSE Board 10th result 2026 online on the board's website at cbse.gov.in and cbseresults.nic.in. Students can also check their CBSE Class 10th result 2026 via SMS, IVRS, Digilocker, Parinam Manjusha, and the Umang App. Students must note that the Board awards grace marks in Class 10 at its discretion. This is done to help students who narrowly miss the 33% passing marks in one or two subjects. The board sets no fixed number. They grant between 1 and 5 marks so that students pass the exam.
Recently, CBSE was in the middle of a controversy for setting a difficult question paper for Class 10 Maths. Students and parents flooded social media demanding grace marks for the Class 10 Maths paper. However, the board did not clarify regarding granting grace marks in the CBSE Class 10 Maths paper. In this article, we have explained the grace marks in CBSE Class 10.
- Are there any Grace Marks in CBSE Class 10 2026?
- What is Grace Marks in CBSE Class 10?
- How does CBSE decide Grace Marks for Class 10?
- Grace Marks for CBSE Class 10 vs Moderation Policy
- CBSE Passing Criteria Class 10 2026
Are there any Grace Marks in CBSE Class 10 2026?
The passing marks in CBSE Class 10 Maths are 33% both Theory and Internal. In case candidates secure one or two marks less than the passing marks, then the board offers grace marks. It is provided as per the discretion of the board. Grace marks in CBSE Class 10 are usually given in borderline cases when there are errors in the question paper, a difficult paper, etc. Allotting grace marks depends on various factors. Grace marks are included in final marks, not separately. The rule related to the grace marks in CBSE Class 10 is explained below.
| Situation | Class 10 Rule | Grace Marks Given |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum passing marks |
33% overall (theory + internal combined) |
No grace needed |
| Short by 1 mark |
Grace Mark Applicable |
Up to 1 mark |
| Difficult question |
Grace marks may be given to all students |
Question-wise marks |
| Step marking in answers |
Partial marks given for correct steps |
Extra step marks |
| Marksheet display |
Grace marks are included in final marks |
Not shown separately |
What is Grace Marks in CBSE Class 10?
CBSE provides the facility of awarding grace marks to students. The purpose of the grace marks is to help students prevent failing. This also ensures fairness in the board exams in case of unexpected difficult paper. The grace marks rule is only applicable for the theory exams. CBSE typically provides a grace mark of 01 if a student is short of one mark to clear the passing marks criteria.
How does CBSE decide Grace Marks for Class 10?
CBSE does not follow a specific pattern for allotting grace marks. It is allotted under certain circumstances.
- Paper Errors
- Out of syllabus questions
- Difficult question paper
- Borderline cases
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Grace Marks for CBSE Class 10 vs Moderation Policy
Grace marks and moderation policy are two separate things. The difference between grace marks and the moderation policy is given below.
| Grace Marks | Moderation Policy |
|---|---|
| To help an individual student pass a subject. |
To adjust marks for all students due to a difficult paper |
| Only for borderline students |
Applied to everyone who took a specific set of the exam |
| Usually 1–5 marks |
Can be up to 15 marks in extreme cases |
CBSE Passing Criteria Class 10 2026
CBSE Class 10 qualifying marks criteria is 33% in the Theory paper and an overall score as well. Check the subject-wise passing marks criteria for CBSE board exams 2026 below:
| Subject | Total Theory Marks | Internal Assessment Total Marks | Minimum Marks to Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| English |
80 |
20 |
33 out of 100 |
| Hindi |
80 |
20 |
33 out of 100 |
| Mathematics |
80 |
20 |
33 out of 100 |
| Science |
80 |
20 |
33 out of 100 |
| Social Science |
80 |
20 |
33 out of 100 |
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