Now, for the students who will appear for the 10th and 12th board exams in 2026, at least 75% school attendance will be necessary. The board has clearly stated that attendance will be directly linked to internal marks. This means that one will have to go to school regularly for the entire two years.
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Now, students who will appear for CBSE 10th and 12th board exams in 2026 will need at least 75% school attendance. If there is no 75% attendance, it may be difficult to appear in the board exam. Attendance is now directly linked to internal marks (internal assessment). Internal assessment is not a one-day or one-time test, but a process based on two years of study. That is, from 2026, not only studying but also going to school regularly will be mandatory to pass the board exam.
75 percent attendance mandatory
CBSE has made 75% school attendance mandatory for students appearing for class 10th and 12th board exams to be held in 2026. Attendance will now be directly linked to internal assessment, making regular attendance mandatory in the two-year academic cycle. Students appearing for CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board exams in 2026 will now have to register at least 75 per cent attendance to pass. In a circular issued on September 15, the board said that internal marks will not be based on just a one-time exam, but on two full years of studies and activities.
If a student does not come to school regularly, schools will not be able to complete his internal assessment. Such students will be put in the category of ‘essential repetition’ (essential repeat), even if he is registered for regular examination. CBSE has clearly stated that classes 10 and 12 will be considered a two-year course. Classes 9–10 is one block. Classes 11–12 is the second block.
Subject selection rules:
Class 10 students: Can choose 2 additional subjects apart from the 5 compulsory subjects.
Class 12 students: Can choose 1 additional subject.
But it will be mandatory to study them for two full years.
Rules for schools:
Subjects for which schools do not have trained teachers, labs or permission from the board cannot be offered by them. Such subjects can neither be taken as main nor as additional papers.
Compartment/Repeat rules:
Students who have compartment or repeat in any subject will be allowed to appear in that paper again as private candidates. But those whose attendance or internal marks are incomplete will not be able to appear in the examination of additional subjects even as private candidates. Overall, it is necessary for students to attend regularly throughout the year and participate in internal activities.
It is necessary for schools to strictly monitor attendance and evaluation. This change is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which emphasizes on continuous assessment and competency-based education. Students and schools still have more than a year, but before 2026, everyone will have to change their study and preparation habits.
