Delhi Class 9 rules changed: Third language, vocational education made mandatory

Delhi has revised the Class 9 academic and assessment framework for the 2026-27 session, making vocational education and a third language compulsory while introducing optional advanced assessments in Mathematics and Science.

Under the revised framework issued by the Directorate of Education, Class 9 students will have six main subjects for promotion: Language 1, Language 2, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Vocational Education.

Vocational Education has been added as a compulsory subject to provide students with early exposure to practical and skill-based learning. The subject is intended to build awareness of employability and develop skills alongside academic studies.

Students will also continue studying a third language based on the language combination followed in Class 8. The third language will be treated as R3 and assessed by schools.

Students will receive either "Qualified" or "Not Qualified" in the third-language assessment. They may still be promoted to Class 10 if they meet the other promotion requirements, but they will have to qualify in the Class 9 third-language assessment before appearing for the Class 10 board examination.

The revised framework allows students to take optional advanced-level assessments in Mathematics, Science or both subjects.

Regular Mathematics and Science examinations will continue to follow the prescribed syllabus for all students. The advanced assessments will carry 25 marks and have a duration of one hour.

The additional assessments will test higher-order thinking and students' deeper understanding of concepts. Their scores will not be considered for promotion or added to the overall aggregate.

However, students securing at least 50% in an advanced assessment will have the achievement recorded on their marksheet.

The Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard system will be discontinued for Class 9 students from the 2026-27 academic session. The system will continue to apply to Class 10 students during the same session.

Students will need to secure at least 33% separately in internal or practical assessment and external assessment in each of the six main subjects to qualify for promotion.

They will also need to obtain at least 25% in the annual examination. Students who fail in up to three subjects will be eligible to appear for compartment examinations.

Students who do not meet the promotion requirements or qualify through the compartment examination will have to repeat Class 9.

The revised framework also makes Art Education, Physical Education and Well-Being, and Individuals in Society compulsory curricular areas.

Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence modules will be introduced in schools during the 2026-27 academic session. The subjects are scheduled to become compulsory from the 2027-28 session.