Clearing speculations that followed the CBSE sample question papers and marking schemes for Class 10 and 12 for the 2026-2027 session, the Central Board of Secondary Education has said that there will be no change in the Class 10 passing criteria for the ongoing academic session.
As per the notice, students appearing for the Class 10 board exams 2027 will need to secure 33 per cent marks, with theory and internal assessment counted together. The board also said that there will be no change in the question paper design or assessment pattern.
The confusion stemmed from its latest issue on the curriculum and assessment framework for 2026-27. Some students in schools misunderstood the guidelines to mean that students would have to score at least 33 per cent separately in the written exam and internal assessment. However, CBSE later cleared the confusion that arose.
The clarification was given during a CBSE webinar held on Tuesday for schools. The session focused on the submission of the list of candidates for the 2027 board exams and the correction of students’ details. During the webinar, the Controller of Examinations, Sanyam Bhardwaj, said the proposal to require students to score 33 per cent separately in different components has been withdrawn. This means students will not have to score 33 per cent each in theory and internal assessment.
The board opened the List of Candidates window. Submission runs from September 24 to October 17 via challan and from September 24 to October 21 otherwise, without late fees. With late fees, it runs from October 22 to 30. Schools file this, so students should check that their names, subjects and spellings are correct. Schools have been instructed to carefully check students’ details during registration and LOC submission.
So far, the tentative datesheet for the upcoming Class 10 and 12 board exams has not been released. However, the sample papers released on September 21 for Class 12 can be accessed on cbseacademic.in.