The CBSE Class 10 board exam 2027 will be held in two phases, with Phase 1 in February and March 2027 and Phase 2 in May 2027. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the exam for students across 27,339 schools in India and abroad. More than 24.7 lakh students appeared in CBSE Class 10 in 2026, and a similar number is expected in 2027.
CBSE Class 10 Latest Updates
- August 2026 CBSE to open LOC submission for Class 10 board exam 2027 in September 2026
- July 2026 CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 result 2026 declared, best of two scores applied on the marksheet
- April 15, 2026 CBSE Class 10 Phase 1 result 2026 declared, 93.70% students pass
Key Summary
- CBSE conducts the Class 10 board exam twice a year from the 2026 cycle onwards.
- Phase 1 is compulsory for every student, and Phase 2 is optional.
- You can appear in Phase 2 for a maximum of 3 subjects out of Science, Maths, Social Science, and Languages.
- CBSE applies the best of two rule and prints only the higher score on your final marksheet.
- Each paper carries 100 marks, split into 80 marks theory and 20 marks internal assessment.
- You need 33% marks in each subject to pass, counting theory and internal assessment together.
Note: If you miss three or more subjects in Phase 1, CBSE places you in the Essential Repeat category. You cannot sit for Phase 2 that year.
What is CBSE Class 10 Board Exam?
The CBSE Class 10 board exam is the first public exam a student writes in the Indian school system. CBSE conducts it at the end of the secondary stage to certify that you have completed Class 10.
Your Class 10 marks decide which stream you get in Class 11. Schools use these marks to allot Science, Commerce, or Humanities seats.
- Conducting body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Exam level: National level secondary board exam
- Frequency: Twice a year from the 2026 cycle onwards
- Mode: Offline, pen and paper
- Students in 2026: More than 24.7 lakh appeared
- Exam centres in 2026: 8,075 centres across 27,339 schools
- Official website: cbse.gov.in
CBSE also conducts the exam for schools in 26 countries outside India. This makes it one of the largest school board exams in the world.
You can check the detailed CBSE Class 10 exam pattern and the full CBSE Class 10 syllabus before you plan your studies.
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CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams: How the New System Works
CBSE started holding the Class 10 board exam twice a year from 2026. This is the biggest change in the board exam system in years.
Phase 1 is the main board exam and every student must appear in it. Phase 2 is optional and works as an improvement exam, not as a second chance to skip the first one.
| Point | Phase 1 | Phase 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | Yes, for all students | No, optional |
| When It Is Held | February to March | May to June |
| Subjects Allowed | All subjects you registered for | Maximum 3 subjects |
| Which Subjects | All | Science, Maths, Social Science, Languages |
| Practical Exams | Held once before theory papers | Not repeated, marks carry forward |
| Syllabus | Full syllabus | Same full syllabus |
| Score Counted | Best of two per subject | Best of two per subject |
Who Can Appear in CBSE Class 10 Phase 2
CBSE has set clear categories for the second exam. You should check which one applies to you before you apply.
| Category | Can You Appear in Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Improvement | Yes, in up to 3 subjects if you passed Phase 1 |
| Compartment | Yes, to clear the subject you did not pass |
| Subject Replacement | Yes, if you want to swap a subject to improve your result |
| Essential Repeat | No, you wait for next February |
| Absent in 3 or More Subjects | No, you fall under Essential Repeat |
CBSE expects around 40% of students to take the Phase 2 exam each year. The board evaluates 20 to 30 lakh answer books for this second round.
Source: Central Board of Secondary Education
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Date 2027 and Important Dates
CBSE releases the Class 10 date sheet around three to four months before the exam. For the 2026 cycle, the board published the final date sheet on October 30, 2025.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| LOC Submission by Schools | September 2026 |
| CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2027 Release | October to November 2026 |
| Practical Exams (Winter-Bound Schools) | November to December 2026 |
| Practical Exams (Other Schools) | January 1 to February 14, 2027 |
| CBSE Class 10 Admit Card (Phase 1) | February 2027 |
| CBSE Class 10 Phase 1 Exam | February to March 2027 |
| CBSE Class 10 Phase 1 Result | April 2027 |
| Phase 2 Application Window | April 2027 |
| CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Exam | May 2027 |
| CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Result | June to July 2027 |
Note: All 2027 dates are tentative. CBSE confirms the schedule through the official date sheet at cbse.gov.in.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates in 2026
The 2026 cycle gives you a clear picture of how the two-phase calendar works in practice.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 Exam | February 17 to March 11, 2026 |
| Phase 1 Exam Timing | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM |
| Phase 1 Result | April 15, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam | May 15 to June 1, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Result | July 2026 |
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CBSE Class 10 Registration 2027 Through LOC
You do not register for the CBSE Class 10 board exam yourself. Your school submits the List of Candidates (LOC) to CBSE on your behalf.
Check your name spelling, parents names, and date of birth in the LOC before your school submits it. CBSE prints these details on your marksheet, and corrections later take months.
- Schools fill the LOC on the CBSE Pariksha Sangam portal in September.
- Your school pays the exam fee for every subject you register for.
- You must have at least 75% attendance to be sent up for the board exam.
- Subject changes are allowed only during the LOC window, not after.
- For Phase 2, your school submits a separate application after the Phase 1 result.
Note: CBSE charges a late fee if your school submits the LOC after the deadline. Ask your class teacher to confirm your subject list in September itself.
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027
The CBSE Class 10 exam pattern splits every subject into a theory paper and an internal assessment. You must clear both parts together.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline, pen and paper |
| Total Marks per Subject | 100 marks |
| Theory Paper | 80 marks (70 marks in subjects with practicals) |
| Internal Assessment | 20 marks (30 marks in subjects with practicals) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Timing | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM |
| Passing Marks | 33% in each subject |
| Negative Marking | None |
CBSE Class 10 Question Paper Design 2027
CBSE has raised the share of competency-based questions. These test how you apply a concept, not how well you memorised it.
| Question Type | Weightage | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Competency-Based Questions | 50% | Case study, source-based, and application questions |
| Select Response (MCQ) | 20% | Objective questions with four options |
| Constructed Response | 30% | Short answer and long answer questions |
CBSE Class 10 Internal Assessment Breakup
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Periodic Test (average of best 2 of 3) | 10 |
| Notebook Submission | 5 |
| Subject Enrichment Activity | 5 |
| Total | 20 |
Internal assessment marks are recorded once. They carry forward to Phase 2, so you cannot improve them in the second exam.
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CBSE Class 10 Subjects and Syllabus 2027
You study five main subjects plus one optional sixth subject in CBSE Class 10. CBSE counts your best five subjects for the final percentage.
| Subject | Type | Theory Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (Standard or Basic) | Main | 80 |
| Science | Main | 80 |
| Social Science | Main | 80 |
| English (Language and Literature) | Language 1 | 80 |
| Hindi Course A or Course B | Language 2 | 80 |
| Sanskrit, Urdu, or other language | Language 2 option | 80 |
| Information Technology, AI, or other skill subject | Optional sixth | 50 |
Maths Standard vs Maths Basic
CBSE offers two levels of Mathematics in Class 10. Your choice affects what you can study in Class 11.
- Maths Standard is needed if you want to take Maths in Class 11.
- Maths Basic suits students who plan to take Commerce without Maths or Humanities.
- Both papers share the same syllabus but differ in difficulty level.
- You choose the level during LOC submission in September.
Download the subject-wise CBSE Class 10 syllabus and practise with CBSE Class 10 question papers from earlier years.
Related Links:
- CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2027
- CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Standard Question Paper 2026
- CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Basic Question Paper 2026
CBSE Class 10 Admit Card 2027
CBSE releases the Class 10 admit card through schools, not directly to students. Your school downloads it from the Pariksha Sangam portal.
| Detail on Admit Card | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Roll Number | You write it on every answer sheet |
| Exam Centre Name and Address | Decides your travel plan on exam day |
| Subject-Wise Exam Dates | Confirms your personal date sheet |
| Candidate and School Details | Used for identity check at the centre |
| Exam Day Instructions | Lists allowed and banned items |
Note: You cannot enter the exam hall without the admit card and your school ID card. Report at the centre by 10:00 AM, since gates close before the paper starts.
Check the full download process on the CBSE Class 10 admit card page.
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CBSE Class 10 Result 2027 and Best of Two Rule
CBSE declares the Class 10 Phase 1 result in April and the Phase 2 result in June or July. You check it on cbseresults.nic.in, DigiLocker, and the UMANG app.
How to Check CBSE Class 10 Result
- Open cbseresults.nic.in and click the Class 10 result link.
- Enter your roll number, school number, and admit card ID.
- View your subject-wise marks and grades on screen.
- Download the digital marksheet from DigiLocker using your mobile number.
- Collect the original marksheet and migration certificate from your school later.
CBSE Class 10 Best of Two Rule
The best of two rule is the core benefit of the new system. It protects you from a bad day in February.
CBSE compares your Phase 1 and Phase 2 marks for each subject and keeps the higher score. Your final marksheet shows only one consolidated result, so a lower Phase 2 score cannot pull you down.
- The rule applies subject by subject, not to the total.
- CBSE issues only one final marksheet after Phase 2.
- Your internal assessment marks stay the same in both phases.
- The marksheet does not mention that you appeared twice.
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CBSE Class 10 Grading System and Passing Criteria
CBSE uses a 9-point grading scale from A1 to E. The board follows positional grading, which means your grade depends on how the whole cohort performs in that subject.
| Grade | Position Rule | Grade Point | Indicative Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Top 1/8 of passed students | 10 | 91 to 100 |
| A2 | Next 1/8 of passed students | 9 | 81 to 90 |
| B1 | Next 1/8 of passed students | 8 | 71 to 80 |
| B2 | Next 1/8 of passed students | 7 | 61 to 70 |
| C1 | Next 1/8 of passed students | 6 | 51 to 60 |
| C2 | Next 1/8 of passed students | 5 | 41 to 50 |
| D | Remaining passed students | 4 | 33 to 40 |
| E | Essential Repeat | Not awarded | Below 33 |
CBSE Class 10 CGPA and Percentage Formula
- CGPA = Sum of grade points of your best 5 subjects divided by 5.
- Percentage = CGPA multiplied by 9.5.
- Example: a CGPA of 9.2 works out to 87.4%.
- The optional sixth subject can replace a weaker main subject in the best five.
CBSE Class 10 Passing Criteria
- You need 33% marks in each subject, counting theory and internal assessment together.
- You must pass at least 5 subjects including one language.
- CBSE can add up to 5 grace marks to help you cross the pass mark.
- Failing in 1 or 2 subjects puts you in the compartment category.
Read the full breakdown on the CBSE Class 10 grading system page.
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CBSE Class 10 Result Statistics: Previous Year Trends
The CBSE Class 10 pass percentage has stayed above 93% for the last three years. The number of students has also grown steadily.
| Year | Registered | Appeared | Passed | Pass Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24,83,479 | 24,71,777 | 23,16,008 | 93.70% |
| 2025 | 22,51,812 | 22,38,827 | 20,95,467 | 93.66% |
| 2024 | 23,85,079 | 23,71,939 | 22,21,636 | 93.60% |
CBSE Class 10 2026 Result: Girls vs Boys
| Category | Pass Percentage |
|---|---|
| Girls | 94.99% |
| Boys | 92.69% |
| Overall | 93.70% |
Girls have outperformed boys by more than 2 percentage points. This gap has stayed steady for several years.
CBSE Class 10 2026 Region-Wise Pass Percentage
| Region | Pass Percentage |
|---|---|
| Trivandrum | 99.79% |
| Vijayawada | 99.79% |
| Chennai | 99.58% |
Among school types, Kendriya Vidyalayas recorded the best result at 99.57%.
Source: Central Board of Secondary Education
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CBSE Class 10 Compartment and Improvement Rules
The two-phase system has changed how compartment works. Phase 2 now doubles as the compartment exam for most students.
| Situation After Phase 1 | What You Do Next |
|---|---|
| Failed in 1 or 2 subjects | Appear in Phase 2 to clear those subjects |
| Passed but want higher marks | Appear in Phase 2 in up to 3 subjects |
| Passed but want to change a subject | Apply for subject replacement in Phase 2 |
| Failed or absent in 3 or more subjects | Wait for next February as Essential Repeat |
Appearing in Phase 2 carries no risk. If your Phase 2 score is lower, CBSE keeps your Phase 1 score for that subject.
You can read the detailed rules on the CBSE Class 10 compartment exam page.
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CBSE Class 10 Preparation Tips 2027
With around six months left for Phase 1, you have enough time to cover the syllabus twice. The trick is to treat Phase 1 as your only exam.
- Do not plan for Phase 2. Students who rely on the second attempt usually score lower in both.
- Solve CBSE sample papers first. They show the exact competency-based question style used in the paper.
- Give 50% of your time to competency questions. Half the paper now tests application, not recall.
- Protect your internal assessment. Those 20 marks per subject cannot be improved in Phase 2.
- Finish the syllabus by December. Keep January and early February only for revision and mock tests.
- Write full papers in 3 hours. Speed and handwriting matter as much as knowledge in board exams.
CBSE Class 10 Six-Month Study Plan
| Period | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| September to October 2026 | Complete first reading of Maths, Science, and Social Science |
| November 2026 | Languages, optional subject, and NCERT back exercises |
| December 2026 | Full syllabus revision plus chapter-wise tests |
| January 2027 | Sample papers, previous year papers, and practicals |
| February 2027 | Final revision, formula sheets, and mock papers |
Practise with CBSE Class 10 sample papers and take regular CBSE Class 10 mock tests to track your speed.
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Day Guidelines
CBSE follows strict rules at the exam centre. You should reach early and carry only what the board allows.
| Item | Allowed in Exam Hall |
|---|---|
| CBSE Class 10 Admit Card | Yes, printed copy is mandatory |
| School Identity Card | Yes, mandatory for regular students |
| Blue or Black Ballpoint Pen | Yes |
| Transparent Geometry Box and Pencil | Yes |
| Transparent Water Bottle | Yes |
| Analogue Watch | Yes |
| Mobile Phone or Smart Watch | No, strictly banned |
| Calculator, Notes, or Printed Material | No |
CBSE Class 10 Exam Day Timeline
- Reach the centre by 10:00 AM, since gates close well before the paper starts.
- You get 15 minutes reading time from 10:15 AM to read the question paper.
- Writing time runs from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
- Fill your roll number and question paper code on the answer sheet during reading time.
- You cannot leave the hall before the paper ends.
Note: Carrying a mobile phone inside the exam hall counts as unfair means. CBSE can cancel your paper even if the phone stays switched off.
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What After CBSE Class 10: Stream Selection
Your Class 10 marks decide which stream you get in Class 11. Most CBSE schools set their own cutoff for Science and Commerce seats.
| Stream | Typical Marks Needed | Core Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Science (PCM) | 75% and above with Maths Standard | Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English |
| Science (PCB) | 75% and above | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English |
| Commerce with Maths | 60% and above with Maths Standard | Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Maths |
| Commerce without Maths | 55% and above | Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics |
| Humanities | 50% and above | History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology |
Note: Cutoffs change from school to school. Check your own school policy before you pick a stream.
Which Stream Should You Choose
- Pick Science PCM if you want engineering, architecture, or data science later.
- Pick Science PCB if you plan to write NEET for medical courses.
- Pick Commerce if you are aiming for CA, CS, BBA, or B.Com.
- Pick Humanities if law, civil services, design, or journalism interests you.
- Your Maths level in Class 10 limits your options, so choose Standard if you are unsure.
Do not pick a stream only because your marks allow it. Students who choose Science without interest usually struggle in Class 11 and switch later.
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CBSE Class 10 FAQs
Ques. When will the CBSE Class 10 board exam 2027 be held?
Ans. CBSE will hold the Phase 1 exam in February and March 2027 and the Phase 2 exam in May 2027. The board confirms exact dates through the CBSE Class 10 date sheet.
Ques. Is the CBSE Class 10 second board exam compulsory?
Ans. No. Phase 1 is compulsory for every student. Phase 2 is optional and works as an improvement or compartment exam.
Ques. How many subjects can I take in the CBSE Class 10 second exam?
Ans. You can appear in a maximum of 3 subjects from Science, Maths, Social Science, and Languages.
Ques. What is the best of two rule in CBSE Class 10?
Ans. CBSE compares your Phase 1 and Phase 2 marks for each subject and keeps the higher score. Your final marksheet shows only the better result.
Ques. What happens if I score lower in Phase 2?
Ans. Nothing. CBSE keeps your Phase 1 score for that subject, so a lower Phase 2 score cannot reduce your marks.
Ques. What are the passing marks in CBSE Class 10?
Ans. You need 33% in each subject, counting theory and internal assessment together. You must pass at least 5 subjects including one language.
Ques. Who cannot appear in the CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 exam?
Ans. Students who fail or stay absent in 3 or more subjects fall under Essential Repeat. They appear again in the next February exam.
Ques. How do I calculate percentage from CBSE Class 10 CGPA?
Ans. Multiply your CGPA by 9.5. A CGPA of 9.2 equals 87.4%. Check the CBSE Class 10 grading system for the full grade table.
Ques. What was the CBSE Class 10 pass percentage in 2026?
Ans. The pass percentage was 93.70%. Out of 24,71,777 students who appeared, 23,16,008 passed the exam.
Ques. Should I take Maths Standard or Maths Basic?
Ans. Take Maths Standard if you want Mathematics in Class 11. Choose Maths Basic if you plan to take Commerce without Maths or Humanities.
Ques. Do practical exams happen twice in the two-phase system?
Ans. No. CBSE conducts practicals only once before the Phase 1 theory papers. Those marks carry forward to Phase 2.
Ques. Does my marksheet show that I appeared in both exams?
Ans. No. CBSE issues one consolidated marksheet with the best of two scores. It does not mention that you appeared twice.
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