CBSE Skill Paper To Help Students Clear Class 10
CBSE’s 2028 Class 10 exam structure will offer an additional skill subject that could help students clear the examination if they fail mathematics, science or social science.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday clarified the structure of its 2028 Class 10 board examinations, under which students will have five compulsory examination subjects and the option of an additional skill paper that can help them clear the examination even if they fail in mathematics, science or social science.
The clarification applies to students studying in Class 9 during 2026-27, who will appear for their Class 10 board examinations in 2028. It will not affect the current Class 10 batch.
The five compulsory board examination subjects will be two languages, mathematics, science and social science. However, students will study nine compulsory curricular areas, including a third language, art education, physical education and well-being, and vocational education.
CBSE director (academics) Praggya M. Singh said vocational education would remain compulsory for the 2028 batch. Students can choose either ‘Kaushal Vikas’ or one of the 22 skill subjects notified by the board.
The skill subjects include artificial intelligence, data science, information technology, financial markets, healthcare and design thinking.
Students choosing any of the 22 skill subjects will have to appear for the corresponding Class 10 board examination. Their marks and grades will be reflected in their marksheets, and successful candidates will receive certification under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
Those opting for Kaushal Vikas will undergo school-based internal assessment and receive a school certificate if they secure at least 33 per cent marks. They will not have to take a board examination in that subject.
The CBSE also clarified that the interdisciplinary subjects ‘Individuals in Society’ in Class 9 and ‘Environmental Education’ in Class 10, along with modules on computational thinking and artificial intelligence, would not form part of the curriculum for these batches.
According to board sources, the circular was intended to provide clarity well before the students entered Class 10.
“Our foremost priority is to safeguard students' interests by clearly communicating the academic and examination-related provisions well in advance. The emphasis is on encouraging students to focus on meaningful learning rather than solely on examinations,” a source said.