The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday issued a new set of guidelines detailing essential requirements for students appearing in the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. The circular, signed by Controller of Examinations Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, has been shared “for the information of stakeholders” and is aimed at ensuring uniformity and accountability in academic preparation.
Two-Year Programme Structure
According to the circular, Class IX–X and Class XI–XII will continue to be treated as two-year integrated programmes, meaning that students must study all prescribed subjects for the entire duration to qualify for board exams.
This measure, CBSE officials noted, is aligned with the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes consistent learning and assessment rather than short-term exam preparation.
Attendance Criteria
A key highlight of the guidelines is the mandatory 75% attendance requirement. Students failing to meet this criterion may not be allowed to appear for the board examinations unless valid reasons such as medical emergencies are provided and approved by the school in consultation with CBSE.
This move is intended to improve classroom participation, reduce absenteeism, and ensure students engage meaningfully in school-based activities.
Internal Assessment Now Crucial
CBSE has also stressed the importance of internal assessment. These evaluations will be conducted across the two academic years in both secondary and senior secondary levels.
The circular warns that results cannot be declared in the absence of internal assessment records. Students failing to meet this requirement will be placed in the ‘Essential Repeat’ category, meaning they must reappear in the next academic session.
This step echoes NEP 2020’s focus on continuous evaluation, practical skills, and holistic development instead of relying solely on year-end exams.
Additional Subjects: Opportunities with Restrictions
Students in Class 10 will be allowed to take up to two additional subjects alongside their five compulsory ones. For Class 12, one additional subject may be opted for.
However, CBSE has instructed schools to seek prior approval before offering new subjects. Schools must also ensure the availability of proper facilities, including qualified teachers, laboratories, and learning resources, before introducing such options.
Rules for Compartment and Private Candidates
The notice further clarified eligibility norms for students from previous batches. Those placed in ‘Compartment’ or ‘Essential Repeat’ categories can reappear as private candidates, provided they meet the necessary conditions outlined by CBSE.
However, such candidates will not be permitted to take additional subjects unless they have fulfilled the mandatory requirements for regular students.
Implications for Schools and Students
Education experts believe the revised framework strengthens accountability for both schools and students. While the mandatory attendance and internal assessments are expected to improve discipline and learning outcomes, the restrictions on additional subjects are designed to prevent mismanagement of resources in schools.
A Delhi-based school principal said, “These guidelines push schools to maintain proper academic infrastructure while ensuring that students do not bypass essential classroom learning. It is a step towards quality over quantity.”
Alignment with NEP 2020
The circular also demonstrates CBSE’s continued efforts to align board-level education with NEP 2020, which advocates for:
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Holistic development through regular assessments.
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Flexibility in subject choices, but only when schools are equipped to handle them.
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Strong focus on foundational learning and classroom engagement.
By reinforcing structured learning over two years, CBSE hopes to discourage shortcuts and ensure that board exams reflect consistent effort rather than last-minute preparation.
Conclusion
The latest CBSE guidelines mark a significant step in strengthening the examination framework for Classes 10 and 12. With mandatory 75% attendance, strict adherence to internal assessments, and regulated subject choices, the board is seeking to balance academic rigor with fairness.
Students and schools will now need to adapt to these changes, ensuring that classroom participation, assessments, and infrastructure are given top priority in the run-up to the board examinations.
