
CBSE on 29 October issued a circular overhauling the scheme of studies for students entering Class 9 in 2026 and moving to Class 10 in 2027. Environmental Education has been removed from the Class 10 syllabus, while three Class 9 modules, Individuals in Society, Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence, have also been dropped. Students now must study nine compulsory subjects, with Vocational Education made mandatory, and may choose one optional subject from a list of 57 including languages, Computer Application, Home Science, Painting, Music and business-linked options.
To pass Class 10, students need 33% marks separately in both main languages, Maths, Science and Social Science, combining written and internal assessment. A student who fails one of Maths, Science or Social Science but passes a skill subject board exam can substitute the failed subject with the skill subject. Advanced-level Maths and Science are now available as elective main subjects. New skill education options include AI, Data Science, Electronics and Hardware, and Design Thinking and Innovation. The circular aligns with the National Education Policy 2020.
The removal of Environmental Education and three Class 9 modules marks a shift away from compulsory breadth subjects, reducing the total mandatory subjects to nine. By making Vocational Education compulsory and offering 57 optional subjects, CBSE is prioritising practical skill-building over textbook load for students entering Class 9 in 2026 and Class 10 in 2027. The new pass rule allows a failed student in Maths, Science or Social Science to substitute that subject with a passed skill subject, lowering the risk of repeat years. Advanced-level Maths and Science options cater to students aiming for engineering or research, but the policy leaves schools to implement grading for Art and Physical Education without board-level marking. The changes apply only to students starting Class 9 in the 2026 session, with the Class 10 batch from 2028 onwards.
Source: bhaskar.com
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