The CBSE class 10 passing criteria remain unchanged: students must secure 33% when their internal assessment and board exam marks are added together. The Central Board of Secondary Education has clarified that students do not need to score 33% separately in each component.
The clarification follows concerns raised by teachers and students about the Class 9 and 10 curriculum for the 2026–27 session. CBSE says students must complete both parts of the assessment.
CBSE Class 10 Passing Criteria and the Combined Marks Rule
Under the CBSE class 10 combined marks rule, the final result is based on the total of marks from the board examination and internal assessment. The board exam is worth 80 marks, while internal assessment carries 20 marks.
This means the CBSE class 10 passing marks are calculated from the combined score. The CBSE class 10 33% marks requirement does not have to be met in each part on its own.
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Assessment Components Students Must Complete
The CBSE class 10 board exam marks make up 80 marks of the assessment. The remaining 20 are awarded through CBSE class 10 internal assessment marks. Students must appear in and complete both components.
The CBSE class 10 assessment structure 2026-27 was at the centre of the concerns that led to CBSE’s clarification. Subjects assessed entirely through internal work will follow separate guidelines, which the board said will be notified with the relevant curriculum.
Background to the Clarification
The issue was raised by a teacher from a private school in Sonipat, Haryana, during a CBSE webinar on “Relevance of Registration and LOC.” The concern came a few days after teachers and students questioned the assessment details for the Class 9 and 10 curriculum for 2026–27.
CBSE explained that the existing Class 10 passing rule remains in place. An earlier plan to introduce a similar separate passing requirement for Class 10 was later withdrawn.
Class 12 Rule and Possible Future Changes
For Class 12, students need to secure 33% separately in practicals and examinations, according to the clarification reported by CBSE. The board said it is keeping the existing Class 10 rule for now and plans to bring various changes together at a later stage.
FAQs
What are the CBSE class 10 passing criteria?
The passing requirement is 33% on the combined total of internal assessment and board examination marks.
Do CBSE class 10 students need 33% in each component?
No. Students do not need 33% separately in the board exam and internal assessment. Their marks are combined for the final result.
How are Class 10 assessment marks divided?
The board examination is worth 80 marks and internal assessment is worth 20 marks. Students must complete both parts.
Is the Class 10 passing rule changing for 2026–27?
CBSE said the existing passing rule remains unchanged. It also said subjects assessed fully through internal work will have separate guidelines notified with their curriculum.
For Class 10 students, the key point is that the 33% requirement applies to the combined assessment total, while both assessment components must be completed.