CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028: Revised Scheme of Studies, New Rules, Compulsory Subjects and Skill Papers

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised its Scheme of Studies for students currently studying in Class 9 during the 2026–27 academic session. The clarification will affect students progressing to Class 10 in 2027–28 and appearing for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028.

Under the revised scheme, students will have five compulsory board examination subjects: two languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. CBSE has also clarified that Individuals in Society and the Modules on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be included in the Class 9 curriculum for the specified batch. Environmental Education will also not form part of the Class 10 curriculum for these students.

The board has confirmed that vocational education will remain compulsory. Students can choose between Kaushal Vikas and any one of the 22 notified skill subjects. The assessment method will depend on the option selected by the student.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028: What Has Changed?

The revised CBSE Scheme of Studies clarifies the subjects and assessment requirements applicable to the Class 9 batch of 2026–27. The changes are intended to align the curriculum with the board's implementation schedule and clarify which subjects students must study and take examinations in.

The main changes are:

• Five compulsory subjects will have board examinations in Class 10.

• Individuals in Society will not be part of the specified Class 9 batch's curriculum.

• The Modules on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence will not be included in the Class 9 curriculum for this batch.

• Environmental Education will not be part of the Class 10 curriculum for the same batch.

• Vocational education will remain compulsory.

• Students can choose Kaushal Vikas or one of 22 skill subjects to fulfil the vocational education requirement.

• Students selecting an eligible skill subject will take a board examination in that subject.

These provisions apply to students studying in Class 9 in 2026–27 who will progress to Class 10 in 2027–28. The existing scheme will continue for students currently studying in Class 10 during 2026–27.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028: Five Compulsory Subjects

Under the revised scheme, five subjects will have compulsory board examinations in Class 10. These include two languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science.

The five compulsory board examination subjects are:

1. Language 1

2. Language 2

3. Mathematics

4. Science

5. Social Science

Students must secure at least 33% marks in each of these five subjects, considering the applicable internal assessment and board examination requirements, to pass the Class 10 board examination.

The scheme also provides for school-based internal assessment in certain other curricular areas. Therefore, students should distinguish between the subjects they must study and those in which they must appear for board examinations.

Which Subjects Have Been Removed from the CBSE Class 10 Curriculum for 2028?

CBSE has clarified the exclusion of three curriculum components for the specified batch progressing from Class 9 in 2026–27 to Class 10 in 2027–28.

1. Individuals in Society

The subject Individuals in Society will not be included in the Class 9 curriculum for the 2026–27 batch covered by the clarification.

2. Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence Modules

The Modules on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence will also not be part of the Class 9 curriculum for these students.

This clarification concerns the specified modules within the interdisciplinary area. Students should not interpret it as a general announcement that all AI-related skill subjects have been discontinued.

3. Environmental Education

Environmental Education will not be part of the Class 10 curriculum in 2027–28 for the same batch.

These exclusions relate specifically to the implementation schedule for the identified students. They should not be treated as a blanket curriculum change for every CBSE class or academic session.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028: Nine Compulsory Curricular Subjects

Although five subjects will have compulsory board examinations, students will study nine compulsory curricular subjects under the scheme.

These include:

• Language 1

• Language 2

• Mathematics

• Science

• Social Science

• Language 3

• Art Education

• Physical Education and Well-being

• Vocational Education

The distinction between compulsory curricular subjects and compulsory board examination subjects is important for students and parents. Language 3, Art Education and Physical Education and Well-being remain part of the curriculum, even though they are assessed through school-based internal assessment rather than the same board examination route as the five core subjects.

The scheme also allows students to choose an additional optional subject from the subjects offered by CBSE, subject to the applicable conditions.

CBSE Class 10 Vocational Education 2028: Kaushal Vikas or 22 Skill Subjects

Vocational education will continue to be a compulsory curricular area for students appearing for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028.

To fulfil this requirement, students can select either Kaushal Vikas or one of the 22 skill subjects notified by CBSE.

The two options have different assessment requirements, making it important for students to understand the consequences before selecting a subject.

What Happens if Students Choose Kaushal Vikas?

Students who select Kaushal Vikas will undergo school-based internal assessment. They will not need to appear for a separate Class 10 board examination in this subject.

Schools will issue a certificate to students who secure at least 33% marks in the internal assessment.

What Happens if Students Choose a Skill Subject?

Students who select any one of the 22 notified skill subjects must appear for the corresponding Class 10 board examination.

The marks and grades obtained in the skill subject will be reflected in the CBSE marksheet. Students who successfully pass the board examination in the selected skill subject will also receive certification under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).

The available skill subjects cover areas such as information technology, artificial intelligence, data science, healthcare, financial markets, retail, tourism and design thinking.

CBSE Class 10 Skill Subjects 2028: Complete List

Students can choose one of the following 22 skill subjects to fulfil the vocational education requirement, subject to availability and the applicable rules.

Students should check which subjects their schools offer before making their selection.

Can a Skill Subject Help Students Pass CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028?

Yes. CBSE has provided a subject replacement provision for students who choose one of the 22 skill subjects under vocational education.

If a student scores less than 33% in any one of Mathematics, Science or Social Science but passes the selected skill subject, the skill subject can replace the failed subject when the Class 10 board examination result is calculated.

However, this provision does not apply to students who select Kaushal Vikas to fulfil the vocational education requirement.

Students should also note that the replacement provision is subject to CBSE's specified conditions. Selecting a skill subject does not mean that students can automatically replace any failed subject.

The board has also outlined a separate replacement provision for students who select an eligible additional language as an optional subject. Under the specified conditions, that language may replace one of the first two language subjects if the student fails it but passes the optional language.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2028 Passing Marks

Students appearing for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028 will need to secure at least 33% marks in each of the five compulsory board examination subjects.

The qualifying requirement is calculated using the applicable combination of internal assessment and board examination marks.

For example, if a subject carries 80 marks for the board examination and 20 marks for internal assessment, a student obtaining 24 marks in the board examination and nine marks in internal assessment would secure 33 out of 100 marks in total.

This example illustrates the aggregate requirement. Students should refer to the official CBSE assessment guidelines for the rules applicable to their subjects.

Does the Revised CBSE Scheme Apply to Current Class 10 Students?

No. The revised provisions discussed here apply to students currently studying in Class 9 during the 2026–27 academic session who will progress to Class 10 in 2027–28.

Students currently studying in Class 10 during the 2026–27 academic session will continue under the existing scheme.

Therefore, students and parents should confirm their academic session before applying these changes to subject selection, examination preparation or school assessments.

What Should Students Do Next?

Students currently in Class 9 should review the revised Scheme of Studies with their schools and understand the difference between compulsory board examination subjects and other curricular requirements.

Those considering vocational education should compare Kaushal Vikas with the available skill subjects. Students interested in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, Healthcare or Financial Markets may wish to explore the corresponding skill subjects offered by their schools.

Before making a final selection, students should check subject availability, assessment requirements and the conditions governing optional subjects and subject replacement.

The revised scheme provides clarity on the curriculum applicable to the 2028 Class 10 batch. Students should continue to follow official CBSE notifications for any subsequent updates to the syllabus, assessment pattern or examination requirements.