CBSE makes vocational education compulsory for classes 9 and 10 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced significant changes to the curriculum for Classes 9 and 10, making vocational education a compulsory component of secondary schooling. The revised scheme will come into effect for students entering Class 9 in the 2026–27 academic session and progressing to Class 10 in 2027–28.

Under the new framework, students will study five main subjects: Two languages, Math, Science, and Social Science. These subjects will be assessed through Board exams in Class 10. Students will also be required to opt for vocational education, choosing either Kaushal Vikas or one of the 22 skill-based subjects offered by the Board.

The skill subjects cover a wide range of disciplines, including Information Technology, Retail, Automotive, Tourism, Banking and Insurance, Healthcare, Agriculture, Beauty and Wellness, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Multimedia and Design Thinking and Innovation. Students opting for any of the 22 skill subjects will have to appear for a Class 10 board examination, while those choosing Kaushal Vikas will be assessed internally by their respective schools.

The revised curriculum also brings changes to the existing subject structure, with Individuals in Society, CT and AI Modules, and Environmental Education being removed for the affected batches.

As per the new assessment framework, students must secure a minimum of 33 per cent marks in each of the five main subjects to pass Class 10. The final result will incorporate both board examination scores and internal assessment marks.

Another notable provision allows a skill subject to replace Math, Science, or Social Science under specified circumstances. If a student fails in one of these three subjects but passes the skill subject, the latter may be considered a replacement, subject to CBSE rules.

The initiative aims to strengthen skill-based learning and provide students with greater exposure to practical knowledge and vocational pathways alongside their academic education.