Now, clear CBSE Class X even if you fail compulsory subject

As per a recently released curriculum for secondary school by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), a student who fails in any one of the compulsory subjects -- maths, social science and science -- his marks will be substituted with a skill-based subject.

“If a student fails in any one of the three compulsory subjects (i.e. science, mathematics and social Science) and passes in the skill subject (offered as sixth optional subject) then that subject will be replaced by the skill subject and the result of Class X board examination will be computed accordingly,” the curriculum for the 2025-26 read.

The board has also added new skill subjects (electives), including artificial intelligence (AI), early childhood care education, and yoga to the secondary education curriculum. This move aims to provide students with an alternative path to academic success and reduce the stress associated with traditional subjects.

The curriculum for the secondary school includes language I (Hindi – Course A or Course B; or English Language and Literature or English Communicative); language II; mathematics – basic or mathematics standard; science and social science in the compulsory category; skill subject or another subject from A2 Group (electives), language III or any subject from A2 Group in the optional category; art education; health and physical education; and work experience in the internal assessment (compulsory) category.

“It is expected that all students should have studied three languages up to Class VIII. Those students who could not clear the third language in class VIII and have been promoted to Class IX, shall be examined by the schools concerned at the end of Class IX in the same syllabus and textbooks as prescribed for class VIII. Those who are still unable to clear the third language at the end of Class IX may be given another opportunity in Class X. No student shall be eligible to appear in the secondary school examination of the Board at the end of Class X unless she/he has passed in the third language,” curriculum states.