CBSE Class 9 and 10 Curriculum: 3 Modules Dropped

CBSE Class 9 and 10 Curriculum Update: What Changed?

On 29 October 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education issued official circular Acad-70/2026, signed by Director (Academics) Dr. Praggya M. Singh. The notification announces structural revisions to the secondary stage scheme of studies, aiming to balance instructional load and streamline implementation schedules across affiliated schools.

Under the revised scheme, two planned interdisciplinary components—'Individuals in Society' and 'Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence (CT & AI)'—will no longer be part of the Class 9 curriculum for the 2026–27 academic year. Additionally, 'Environmental Education' has been struck off the Class 10 curriculum for the same cohort when they advance into the 2027–28 academic year.

• Excluded from Class 9 (2026–27): Individuals in Society module
• Excluded from Class 9 (2026–27): Computational Thinking & Artificial Intelligence (CT & AI) modules
• Excluded from Class 10 (2027–28): Environmental Education subject
• Retained without alteration: All standard academic electives available under the 2025–26 scheme of studies

Mandatory Vocational Education: Two Distinct Pathways

While theoretical modules were trimmed, CBSE reiterated that vocational training remains an indispensable core component of secondary schooling under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework. Every student progressing through Classes 9 and 10 must complete a vocational track, choosing between two operational routes.

The first route is 'Kaushal Vikas' (Skill Development). This pathway is designed for students seeking practical exposure without the pressure of an external board exam. Assessment is carried out internally by the school, and candidates securing at least 33% marks receive an institutional certificate. It does not lead to an external board paper.

The 22 Designated Skill Subjects Pathway

Alternatively, students can select one of the 22 designated vocational subjects recognized under Annexure-I of the circular. These include high-demand areas like Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Automotive, Financial Markets, Healthcare, Agriculture, and Tourism. Students picking an Annexure-I subject must sit for an external CBSE Board examination in Class 10 in 2028. Marks will appear on the official board marksheet alongside an NSQF-aligned skill certificate.

Class 10 Board Exam Structure and 33% Passing Rule

The circular clarifies the examination architecture awaiting this cohort when they appear for their Class 10 secondary school examination in 2028. Students will be evaluated externally across five compulsory board subjects: two languages (Language 1 / R1 and Language 2 / R2), Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.

To clear the secondary level, candidates must achieve a minimum qualifying benchmark of 33% marks in each of these five compulsory subjects, calculated by combining internal assessment scores and the written board examination marks. School-assessed co-scholastic areas—such as the third language (R3), Art Education, and Physical Education and Well-being—will receive grades rather than numerical marks.

• Core board papers: Two languages, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science
• Passing mark: Minimum 33% combined score across board theory and school internal assessments
• Safety net provision: Choosing a registered vocational skill paper can replace a failed score in Mathematics, Science, or Social Science under CBSE passing bylaws

Who Is Affected by the New CBSE Guidelines?

The revised scheme strictly applies to students who entered Class 9 during the 2026–27 academic year and will sit for their Class 10 Board Examinations in 2028. It establishes their two-year academic continuum across Classes 9 and 10.

Crucially, the board emphasized that students currently studying in Class 10 during the 2026–27 session are unaffected. Current Class 10 examinees will write their board examinations under the preexisting regulations, maintaining continuity for existing exam registrations.

Action Plan for Schools, Parents, and Students

School heads have been instructed to distribute the official circular and accompanying FAQs to faculty, parents, and learners before formal registration lists are finalized. Because subject codes and assessment modes differ fundamentally between Kaushal Vikas and the 22 vocational subjects, early decisions prevent administrative mismatches later.

At Tution Sir (tutionsir.com), academic counselors advise students to weigh their future academic streams carefully before picking an elective; choosing an NSQF-aligned skill subject not only builds technical foundations but also provides a tested academic safety net for Class 10 results.

• Confirm whether your school offers your preferred vocational subject from the 22 Annexure-I options.
• Check whether your child prefers internal evaluation (Kaushal Vikas) or external board certification (Skill Subjects).
• Download the full syllabus and circular text directly from the official CBSE academic repository.