Archive · 2 Oct 2026
CBSE Confirms Class 10 Passing Rules Remain Unchanged for 2027
CBSE has explained the passing rule for Class 10 students taking exams in the 2026–27 session.
The rule has not changed from the previous academic year.
Students need 33% marks when their board-exam and internal-assessment marks are added together.
The board exam is worth 80 marks, while internal assessment is worth 20 marks.
Students must complete both parts of the assessment.
Confusion began after people read the wording in the new curriculum document.
A teacher also asked CBSE officials to explain the rule during a webinar.
CBSE said it is keeping the older system for now.
The question-paper design will also remain unchanged.
CBSE said Class 10 students must continue to secure 33% using combined internal-assessment and board-examination marks.
The assessment structure remains 80 marks for the external examination and 20 marks for internal assessment.
Students must appear in and complete both the external and internal assessment components.
CBSE said the passing criteria and question-paper design for 2026–27 are unchanged from 2025–26.
The clarification followed confusion among students, parents and teachers over wording in the 2026–27 curriculum.
- Who
- The Central Board of Secondary Education, along with Class 10 students, schools, teachers and parents.
- What
- CBSE clarified that the Class 10 passing criteria and question-paper design will remain unchanged.
- When
- For the 2026–27 academic session, covering the 2027 examinations; a related notification was issued on September 21.
- Where
- Across CBSE-affiliated schools; the issue was also raised during a webinar at CBSE headquarters.
- Why
- The clarification was issued after confusion over the wording of the new Class 9–10 curriculum.
- Minimum passing requirement
- 33% based on the combined internal-assessment and external-examination marks.
- External examination
- 80 marks.
- Internal assessment
- 20 marks.
- Assessment requirement
- Students must appear in and complete both assessment components.
- Academic session
- 2026–27.
- Previous session
- The criteria remain the same as those applicable during 2025–26.
- Question-paper design
- No change for the 2026–27 academic session.