CBSE clarifies Class X board exam pattern for 2027-28: Here’s what has changed and what students should know | Mint
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday released an official document clarifying the structure for Class 10 board exams to be held in 2028.
According to the education board, students will now have five compulsory subjects, along with the option of an additional skill paper, which can help them clear the examination even if they fail in one of three subjects: mathematics, science, or social science.
Under the scheme, the five compulsory board-exam subjects will be two languages, mathematics, science and social science, news agency PTI reported.
What has changed: All you need to know
According to the document dated 29 October, CBSE clarified that the interdisciplinary area and Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules will not be included in its Scheme of Studies for these batches.
The circular outlines the following provisions for students currently studying in Class IX (2026-27) and progressing to Class X in 2027-28:
1. Interdisciplinary area: To align the introduction of this curricular area with the implementation schedule, the subject “Individuals in Society” and the CT and AI modules in Class IX (2026-27), along with “Environmental Education” in Class X (2027-28), will not be part of the curriculum for these batches.
2. Vocational education: Vocational education will continue to be a mandatory curricular area for students of Class 9 (2026-27) progressing to Class 10 in 2027-28. To fulfil this requirement, students may opt for either “Kaushal Vikas” or any one of the 22 skill subjects notified by the board. Students opting for Kaushal Vikas will be assessed internally. However, students opting for any of the 22 skill subjects will have to appear in the board examination for the respective skill subject in Class X (2027-28).
3. Other optional subjects: All other optional subjects available in the 2025-26 Scheme of Studies will continue to be offered for Class IX (2026-27) and Class X (2027-28).
What should parents and students know?
According to reports, the clarification specifically applies to students studying in Class 9 in the academic year 2026-27 who will appear for their Class 10 board examination in 2028.
CBSE clarified that students can fulfil the vocational education requirement through either an internally assessed school subject or a skill subject assessed through a board examination, with successful candidates receiving a nationally recognised skill certificate.
Students will still be required to study nine subjects, including a third language, art education, physical education and well-being, and vocational education.
Students in Class IX in 2026-27 will take Class X board examinations in 2027-28 in Language R1, Language R2, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. Additional board examinations will apply to subjects they choose, including one of the 57 optional subjects, Mathematics Advanced, Science Advanced, or one of the 22 skill subjects instead of Kaushal Vikas. Any optional language must differ from those chosen as R1, R2, and R3.