CBSE issues Class 10, Class 12 Board exams 2026 Guidelines; 75 percent attendance mandatory

CBSE has stated that Class 10 and Class 12 are two years programme comprising of Class 9 and Class 10 and Class 11 and Class 12 respectively.

The Central Board of Secondary Education has reiterated Class 10, Class 12 Board exam guidelines. CBSE has stated that Class 10 and 12 are two-year regular course with minimum requirement of 75 percent attendance to appear for the board examinations.

CBSE in a public notice has stated that there are two National School Boards in the country functioning under the Union Ministry of Education, CBSE and NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling).

CBSE offers education through face-to-face mode, while NIOS is offering education through Open and Distance Education Mode.

Class 10 & Class 12 are two years Course

The Board has in its notice has stated essential requirements for appearing in the Board examinations conducted it. It states that Class 10 and Class 12 are two years programme comprising of Class 9 and Class 10 and Class 11 and Class 12 respectively. “Accordingly, all subjects should have studied for 2 years by a student to become eligible for appearing in the examinations.”

It also states that it is mandatory for the students to have minimum 75% attendance to appear for board exams.

‘Internal assessment is a compulsory’

“In all the subjects offered by the CBSE, internal assessment is a compulsory integral part of the assessment as per NEP-2020. It is a 2 year long process. If a student does not attend school, his/her internal assessment cannot be done. In the absence of performance in internal assessment, a student's result cannot be declared,” says CBSE Notice.

CBSE Notice on Class 10 & 12 Board Exams 2026

The notice issue by CBSE Controller of Examinations, Sanyam Bharadwaj reads that CBSE offers additional subjects in Class 10 and Class 12. In Class 10, students can offer two subjects in addition to compulsory five subjects and in Class 12, only one additional subject can be offered. Students offering additional subjects will study the additional subject for two years.”

The board has categorically stated that even in affiliated schools, if a school has not taken permission from CBSE to offer any subject and they do not have teachers, labs etc., their students are not allowed to offer such subjects as main or additional subjects.

If a regular student has offered additional subject(s) in previous years and has been placed either in "Compartment" or "Essential Repeat" category, they can appear as a private candidate under compartment or Essential Repeat Category.

“A student who is not meeting the above conditions is not eligible for examinations in additional subjects in Board examinations as a private candidate,” mentions CBSE notice informing of the stakeholders.

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