The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an important notice regarding the minimum eligibility criteria for Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations for the academic session 2025-26.
These rules focus on maintaining academic discipline and ensuring students meet all requirements before appearing for the board examination.
Mandatory Two-Year Course Completion
Completion of the full two-year course structure is required:
- Class 10 → Class IX + Class X
- Class 12 → Class XI + Class XII
Students cannot skip the foundational year or appear for board exams without completing the full course.
Attendance Criteria
- Minimum 75% attendance mandatory for regular students.
- Up to 25% relaxation allowed only in exceptional cases such as:
- Medical emergencies (with valid medical documents).
- Participation in national/international sports or cultural events.
- Other serious reasons (with proper documentation).
- Schools must maintain up-to-date attendance records for CBSE inspection.
- Unauthorized absence leads to disqualification.
Internal Assessment Norms
- Internal assessments (projects, periodic tests, classroom participation) are mandatory.
- Cannot be skipped under any circumstances.
- Missing internal assessments leads to ineligibility for board exams.
Restriction on Additional Subject Points
Additional Subject Marks Validity:
Allowed only if all eligibility criteria (attendance, course completion, internal assessments) are met.
New Rule – No Additional Subjects if Teacher Is Absent:
1) Schools must have the required subject teacher available to offer an additional subject.
2) If a school lacks a qualified teacher for the additional subject, the subject will not be allowed for that student.
3) Students cannot claim additional subject marks without proper teacher availability and assessment.
This ensures that additional subjects are taken under proper guidance and evaluated fairly.
Rules for Private Candidates and Repeaters
Private Candidates:
1) Must complete the entire syllabus independently.
2) Internal assessments must be completed through a recognized study center or the registered school.
3) No minimum attendance rule, but internal assessments are mandatory.
4) Additional subject eligibility applies only if the private candidate can prove proper assessment completion.
Repeaters (Improvement Candidates):
1) Must have passed the board exam previously.
2) Required to complete internal assessments again to appear for improvement.
3) Cannot claim additional subject points unless they fulfill the full assessment requirement.
Role of Schools and Parents
Schools must:
1) Inform students and parents about all eligibility requirements, including the rule that additional subjects are not allowed if the teacher is unavailable.
2) Maintain proper documentation for attendance, internal assessments, and additional subject availability.
Parents must:
1) Ensure that their child attends school regularly.
2) Submit medical certificates or other valid documents in case of absenteeism on time.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Disqualification from board exams for:
- Insufficient attendance.
- Missing internal assessments.
- Incomplete course structure.
- Additional subjects will be invalid if the school does not have a qualified teacher.
- Private candidates and repeaters without completed assessments will not get certification.
- Schools failing to comply may face CBSE disciplinary action.
✅ Conclusion
CBSE’s reinforced guidelines ensure strict discipline in board exam eligibility, especially regarding additional subjects, private and repeater candidate rules, and teacher availability.
This prevents misuse of the system and helps maintain academic integrity across schools.
👉 For official updates and full details, visit the CBSE official website:
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Ambika Krishnamurthy is an education news writer dedicated to covering academic updates, exam alerts, policy changes, and student-centric stories. With a focus on clarity and reliability, she aims to keep readers informed about the latest developments in the education sector, helping students and educators stay ahead in their academic journeys.