CBSE 12th Passing Marks 2026: Check Stream, Merit Certificate & Grading System

CBSE 12th 2026 ( CBSE 12th )

Anangsha
Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
Updated on Jun 12, 2026 13:30 IST
CBSE 12th passing marks are prescribed by the examination authority. The pass marks in each subject are 33%. For subjects involving practical work, candidates must obtain 33% separately in both practical and theory papers. The grades are offered on the basis of percentage and division

CBSE 12th compartment result 2026 will be announced in July. CBSE 12th passing mark is 33 per cent in each subject. To know more, scroll down to read this article below.

CBSE 12th Passing Marks 2026

CBSE Class 12th Passing Marks

CBSE 12th passing marks are prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education. It is done to ensure uniform academic standards across schools in India. The pass marks in each subject are 33%. For subjects involving practical work in CBSE Class 12, candidates must obtain 33% separately in both practical and theory papers. Students are required to appear in five papers. CBSE follows a 9-point grading system. They need to secure a grade above E. Qualifying marks for 70 marks paper are 35%. In this article, we have explained CBSE Class 12 pass marks, merit certificates, grading system, etc. Read below for more details.

Table of contents
  • What are the CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026?
  • CBSE 12th Passing Marks 2026 Stream-Wise
  • CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026 for Arts Stream
  • CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026 for Commerce Stream
  • What is Qualifying Marks in Class 12th out of 100?
  • CBSE Class 12 Grading System
  • CBSE Class 12 Merit Certificates 2026
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What are the CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026?

In CBSE Class 12, this is the minimum mark a student needs to secure to be declared as qualified in a subject as well as overall. The board follows a criteria-based evaluation system, not relative grading. Students need to pass individually in each subject. They are also required to pass both theory and practical exams separately.

Also Read: CBSE Class 12 Result 2026

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is CBSE Class 12 passing marks?
A: 

The pass marks in each subject are 33%. For subjects involving practical work, candidates must obtain 33% separately in both practical and theory papers. Students are required to appear in five papers. CBSE follows 9-point grading system.

Q:   What is CBSE Class 12 merit certificate?
A: 

CBSE Class 12 merit certificate in each subject is awarded to the top 0.1 % of
candidates passing that subject. This is subject to passing the exam.

Q:   What is CBSE Class 12 grading system?
A: 

The grading system of CBSE Class 12 is given below.

Grade

Grade Points

Proportion of Students

A-1

10

Top 1/8th of the passed candidates

A-2

9

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

 

B-1

8

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

B-2

7

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

 

C-1

6

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

C-2

5

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

 

D-1

4

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

 

D-2

C

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

 

E

C

Failed candidates

Q:   What is the CBSE Class 12 grace marks policy?
A: 

CBSE may award grace marks in exceptional cases where a student falls short of passing by a small margin. It is given at the discretion of the board. 

 

CBSE 12th Passing Marks 2026 Stream-Wise

CBSE 12 th Passing Marks for Science Stream

Subject Marks in Theory Marks in Practical and Internal Assessment Passing Marks for Theory Exam Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical

Passing marks of Physics Class 12

70

30

23

9

Chemistry

70

30

23

9

Maths passing marks Class 12

80

20

26

6

Biology

70

30

23

9

English Core

80

20

23

6

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CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026 for Arts Stream

Subject Marks in Theory Marks in Practical and Internal Assessment Passing Marks for Theory Exam Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical

Sociology

80

20

26

6

Political Science

80

20

26

6

Psychology

70

30

23

9

History

80

20

26

6

Also Read: CBSE Class 12 Dates 2026

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What Is the CBSE 12th Minimum Passing Score Out of 100?
A: 

For subjects whose total marks are calculated out of 100, the passing marks are 33%. This applies to subjects without internal/practical or to those where theory and internal assessment are combined into a single score.

 

Q:   What is the minimum passing score out of 80 in CBSE Class 12?
A: 

Many CBSE Class 12 follows an 80-mark theory and 20-mark internal assessment pattern. In such cases, students must secure a minimum of 26 marks out of 80 in the theory paper and 7 marks out of 20 in internal assessment.

 

Q:   Are internal assessment marks compulsory to pass CBSE Class 12?
A: 

It is compulsory to pass in CBSE Class 12 internal assessment. Students will be considered as fail if they don't qualify in internal assessment.

Q:   What happens if a student fails in one subject in CBSE Class 12?
A: 

If a student fails in one subject in CBSE Class 12, they become eligible for the compartment exam. Passing the exam allows the student to be declared passed without repeating the year.

 

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CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026 for Commerce Stream

Subject Marks in Theory Marks in Practical and Internal Assessment Passing Marks for Theory Exam Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical

BS

70

30

23

9

Accountancy

70

30

23

9

Economics

80

20

26

6

Maths

70

30

23

9

What is Qualifying Marks in Class 12th out of 100?

CBSE 12th passing marks for a 100-mark paper depend on the distribution of theory and practical marks. To qualify exam, it is necessary to secure required marks out of 100. Those who fail to meet the minimum qualifying criteria are required to appear in the compartment exams.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Does CBSE Class 12 passing marks change every year?
A: 

CBSE maintains a consistent passing criteria of 33%. Any changes to passing marks are officially notified by CBSE.

Q:   Can we change marks in CBSE 12th marksheet?
A: 

If you are not satisfied with the marks, you can apply for revaluation or rechecking of the paper. The marks awarded after the rechecking/revaluation shall be considered as the final marks. Then a new marksheet will be issued to you thereafter. 

Q:   Where can I check and download CBSE Exam Pattern Class 10, 12?
A: 

 The exam pattern shares the marking scheme, weightage to every topic, duration of exam and more. Students must know the CBSE exam pattern as this helps them form a strategy and to decide which question to solve first. 

Q:   What are the changes introduced in CBSE 12th Accounts exam pattern?
A: 

In the Accountancy subject, the CBSE Board has decided to do away with the answer books wherein tables were provided for the subject of Accountancy.

 

CBSE Class 12 Grading System 

Grade Grade Points Proportion of Students

A-1

10

Top 1/8th of the passed candidates

A-2

9

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

B-1

8

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

B-2

7

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

C-1

6

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

C-2

5

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

D-1

4

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

D-2

C

Next 1/8th of the passed candidates

E

C

Failed candidates

CBSE Class 12 Merit Certificates 2026

The guidelines related to awarding merit certificates are given below.

  • CBSE awards Merit Certificates in each subject to top 0.1 % of candidates 
  • It is determined based on number of candidates passing subject
  • In case of tie, if one student gets a Merit Certificate, then all those securing that score will get the same
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About the Author
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Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
Anangsha Patra is MA in Mass Communication & Journalism with more than 10 years of experience in the field of Journalism, Content Writing and Editing. At Shiksha.Com, she works as Deputy Manager-Content for the Sark
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