CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028: Five Compulsory Subjects, Optional Skill Paper to Offer Second Chance

The proposed changes aim to give students greater flexibility in demonstrating their academic abilities while strengthening the role of vocational and skill-based education.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028: Which Subjects Will Be Compulsory?

Under the revised scheme, students will appear for board examinations in five compulsory subjects:

Language 1

Language 2

Mathematics

Science

Social Science

Apart from these five examination subjects, students will study four additional compulsory curricular areas: a third language, art education, physical education and well-being, and vocational education.

This means students will study nine compulsory curricular subjects, but only five will form the mandatory core board examination structure.

Optional Skill Subject Can Help Students Clear Class 10

One of the major features of the CBSE Class 10 examination scheme for 2028 is the provision for an additional skill-based subject.

Vocational education will remain compulsory, but students will have two options to fulfil this requirement:

Kaushal Vikas: Students choosing this subject will be assessed internally by their schools. They will receive a school-level certificate after securing at least 33% marks.

One of 22 skill subjects: Students selecting any one of the 22 subjects will have to appear for a separate CBSE board examination.

The skill subjects include:

Artificial Intelligence

Data Science

Information Technology

Introduction to Financial Markets

Healthcare

Design Thinking and Innovation

Retail

Banking and Insurance

Agriculture

Automotive

Beauty and Wellness

Tourism

Students who pass the board examination in their selected skill subject will also receive certification under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). Their marks and grades will be reflected in the CBSE marksheet.

How the Optional Skill Paper Will Work as a Safety Net

The additional skill subject could provide an important opportunity for students who struggle with one of the core academic subjects.

According to the CBSE circular, if a student scores less than 33% in any one of Mathematics, Science or Social Science but passes the selected skill subject, the skill subject can replace the failed subject while calculating the Class 10 board examination result.

However, this benefit will be available only to students who choose one of the 22 board-examined skill subjects.

Students opting for Kaushal Vikas will not receive this subject-replacement benefit.

CBSE Removes CT, AI Modules and Environmental Education from the Specified Batch

The board has also clarified the status of certain curricular components for students covered under the revised scheme.

The following subjects and modules will not be included in the curriculum for these batches:

Individuals in Society: Will not be included in Class 9 during the 2026-27 academic session.

Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules: Will not be included in the Class 9 curriculum for the specified batch.

Environmental Education: Will not be included in Class 10 during the 2027-28 academic session.

CBSE stated that these changes have been made to align the introduction of the interdisciplinary curricular area with its implementation schedule.

Which Students Will Be Affected by the New CBSE Rules?

The revised examination structure will apply to students currently studying in Class 9 during the 2026-27 academic session. These students will move to Class 10 in 2027-28 and appear for their board examinations in 2028.

Students currently studying in Class 10 during the 2026-27 academic session will continue under the existing examination scheme. The revised provisions will not apply to their current board examinations.

The CBSE has issued these clarifications to give students, parents and schools sufficient time to understand the revised subject structure and assessment arrangements before the 2028 board examinations.