The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified the examination pattern for Class 10 board examinations in 2028, confirming five compulsory board-examination subjects and an additional skill-subject option that could help students who fail in certain core subjects.
The revised clarification applies to students currently studying in Class 9 during the 2026–27 academic session, who will appear for their Class 10 board examinations in 2028. The changes do not affect students appearing for the Class 10 board examinations in 2027.
Five Compulsory Subjects for Class 10
Under the clarified structure, students will have to appear for board examinations in five compulsory subjects:
- Language 1
- Language 2
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
Although students will take board examinations in five compulsory subjects, they will continue to study other curricular areas, including a third language, art education, physical education and well-being, and vocational education.
Skill Subject Can Help Students Clear the Examination
CBSE has outlined two options for fulfilling the compulsory vocational education requirement. Students can choose Kaushal Vikas or one of the 22 skill subjects notified by the board.
Students opting for a notified skill subject will have to appear for the respective Class 10 board examination. The marks and grades will be reflected in the board-issued marksheet, and students who pass will receive a certificate under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
The additional skill subject may also provide a safety net for students who fail in Mathematics, Science or Social Science. Under the applicable scheme, a student who fails in one of these subjects but passes the skill subject may have the skill subject substituted for the failed subject when the board result is calculated.
Students choosing Kaushal Vikas, meanwhile, will undergo school-based internal assessment instead of a separate board examination in that subject. They will receive a school certificate upon securing at least 33 per cent marks, according to reports on the CBSE clarification.
Three Subjects Excluded from the 2028 Curriculum
CBSE has also clarified that three areas will not be included in the curriculum for the specified batches in line with the implementation schedule.
These are Individuals in Society and the Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules in Class 9 during 2026–27, along with Environmental Education in Class 10 during 2027–28.
The clarification is intended to give students, parents and schools greater certainty about the subjects and examination requirements applicable to the 2028 Class 10 board examinations.
Focus on Vocational Education
While the number of compulsory board-examination subjects remains five, vocational education will continue to be a compulsory curricular area. Students will therefore have the option of taking a school-assessed vocational course or a skill subject that involves a board examination and can lead to a nationally recognised skill certificate.
The revised arrangement gives students greater clarity about their academic requirements while retaining opportunities to develop practical and employment-oriented skills alongside their core subjects.