Education

CBSE Issues Six Clarifications in 2026 Amid Ongoing Rule Changes

By India Today Education Desk

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued six major clarifications since May 2026, covering digital evaluation, extra marks, the three‑language policy, passing criteria, and curriculum changes. The latest circular, released on 29 October, revised the Scheme of Studies for the 2026‑27 Class 9 batch, dropping three curricular components and explaining how vocational subjects could help students meet their Class 10 passing requirements.

The clarifications are: 1. **16 May** – CBSE defended its new On‑Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 answer sheets, explaining stepwise marking and directing students to the verification and re‑evaluation process. The controversy led to the transfer of CBSE chairman Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta on 2 June and an inquiry into the procurement of OSM services. 2. **4 June** – CBSE clarified how marks would be calculated when students attempted extra questions, explaining the process used to award the best possible marks. 3. **29 June** – A detailed clarification on the three‑language framework was issued after the 15 May announcement that three languages would be compulsory for Class 9 students from the 2026‑27 session. The board explained transition arrangements, exemptions, foreign‑language combinations and which batches would have to appear for a third‑language board examination. 4. **10 July** – Additional implementation guidelines were released, addressing what happens if students fail the third‑language assessment, how schools should arrange teachers, what happens when families relocate and how learning resources would be provided. 5. **3 October** – CBSE clarified that there was no change to Class 10 passing marks; students still need 33 % overall after combining internal assessment and board examination marks. 6. **29 October** – The board removed Individuals in Society and Computational Thinking and AI modules from the current Class 9 batch. Environmental Education will also not be taught to this batch when it moves to Class 10 in 2027‑28. The board explained vocational education and subject‑replacement rules for these students.

The October circular applies to students currently in Class 9, who will appear for their Class 10 board examinations in 2028. It does not affect students appearing for their Class 10 boards in 2027. Students will have five compulsory board examination subjects: two languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. Vocational education remains compulsory. Students can choose Kaushal Vikas, which will be assessed internally, or one of 22 skill subjects that will have a Class 10 board examination. If a student fails Mathematics, Science or Social Science, marks in an eligible skill subject can replace the failed subject for calculating the result. Kaushal Vikas does not qualify for this replacement. An eligible additional language can replace a failed compulsory language, subject to CBSE’s conditions.

Leadership changes have also occurred. Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister in July following the NEET‑UG paper leak controversy, with Pralhad Joshi taking over the ministry. At CBSE, Rahul Singh was transferred in June, Lokhande Prashant Sitaram briefly held additional charge, and Mandeep K Bhandari was appointed the new chairperson in September. The detailed CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examination timetable for 2027 is still awaited. The board has not announced a reason for the delay this year. With board examinations approaching, CBSE’s biggest task for 2027 should be making its decisions easier to understand and consistent, rather than asking students to keep learning new rules along with their textbooks.