CBSE revises scheme of studies for Class 10 board exams 2028

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised its Scheme of Studies for students currently studying in Class 9 during the 2026–27 academic session. The revised scheme is for those who will appear for their Class 10 board examinations in 2028. The revised framework clarifies the subjects students will have to study, those assessed through board examinations and the options available under vocational education.

Under the revised scheme, students will have five compulsory subjects for their Class 10 board examinations: two languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. The changes are intended to provide clarity about the curriculum and examination requirements well ahead of the 2028 board examinations.

As per a CBSE circular issued to school principals, three curricular components will not be part of the prescribed scheme for these students. These are Individuals in Society and the Modules on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Class IX (2026–27), and Environmental Education in Class X (2027–28).

The board clarified that the decision is in line with the implementation schedule for these curricular areas.

Students will continue to study nine compulsory curricular subjects. These include three languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Art Education, Physical Education and Well-being, and Vocational Education. However, only five subjects will be compulsory for the board examination.

The revised framework retains vocational education as a compulsory curricular area. Students will have two options to fulfil this requirement: they can choose Kaushal Vikas or any one of the 22 skill subjects notified by CBSE.

Those opting for Kaushal Vikas will be assessed internally by their schools and will receive a school certificate on securing the prescribed minimum marks. They will not have to appear for a separate board examination in the subject.

Alternatively, students can select one of the 22 notified skill subjects, which include areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, Financial Markets, Healthcare and Design Thinking. These students will have to appear for the respective Class 10 board examination, with their grades reflected in the CBSE marksheet.

An important provision is that students opting for a board-examined skill subject may use it as a replacement if they fail in one of the three subjects — Mathematics, Science or Social Science — subject to the prescribed conditions. This provision will not apply to students choosing Kaushal Vikas.