The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified its Scheme of Studies for the 2028 Class 10 board examinations, providing greater clarity to students and schools about the subjects they must study and the examinations they must take.

Under the revised framework, students will appear for board examinations in five compulsory subjects: two languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. They will also study other compulsory curricular areas, including a third language, Art Education, Physical Education and Well-being, and Vocational Education.

The clarification applies specifically to students studying in Class 9 during the 2026–27 academic session, who will progress to Class 10 in 2027–28. The existing scheme will continue for students currently in Class 10. 

Five Subjects for Board Examinations

Under the clarified structure, the five compulsory board examination subjects are:

  • Language 1
  • Language 2
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Science

Although students will study nine compulsory curricular subjects overall, only these five will form the core of the compulsory board examination structure. Vocational Education will remain compulsory, but students can choose between two assessment pathways.

The distinction is intended to provide clarity about the difference between the subjects students must study and those for which they must appear in board examinations. 

How the Optional Skill Subject Can Help Students

One of the key features of the scheme is the option to take an additional skill subject. Students can choose from 22 skill subjects notified by the CBSE, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, Financial Markets, Healthcare and Design Thinking.

Students who opt for one of these subjects must appear for its Class 10 board examination. Successful candidates will receive a certificate under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), with their marks or grades reflected in the CBSE marksheet.

The additional skill subject can also serve as a safety net. If a student fails in any one of Mathematics, Science or Social Science but passes the skill subject, the skill subject can replace the failed subject for the purpose of calculating the Class 10 result, subject to the prescribed rules. Students must still meet the passing requirements in the remaining compulsory subjects. 

This option may benefit students who have stronger practical or vocational skills but struggle in one of the three core academic subjects.

Two Pathways for Vocational Education

The CBSE has outlined two routes through which students can fulfil the compulsory Vocational Education requirement.

The first is Kaushal Vikas, which involves school-based internal assessment. Students who secure at least 33% marks receive a school certificate and do not need to appear for a separate board examination in the subject.

The second option is to choose one of the 22 notified skill subjects and take its board examination. Students who pass receive the corresponding NSQF certification.

An important distinction is that the replacement benefit for a failed core subject applies to students who take and pass an eligible board-examined skill subject. It is not available to students who choose Kaushal Vikas alone. 

Certain Subjects and Modules Excluded for the 2028 Batch

The CBSE has also clarified that three specified curricular components will not be part of the prescribed scheme for this batch: Individuals in Society and the Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules in Class 9 during 2026–27, and Environmental Education in Class 10 during 2027–28.

The board said the decision was taken to align the introduction of these curricular areas with the implementation schedule. The clarification does not amount to a discontinuation of the CBSE's broader initiatives on AI education. 

What Students and Schools Should Know

The clarified structure gives students more certainty about their board examination requirements well ahead of the 2028 examinations. Schools will need to explain the available vocational pathways and help students understand the difference between school-based assessment and board-examined skill subjects.

For students, the choice of an additional skill subject should take into account their interests, aptitude and future learning goals, rather than relying only on its potential as a backup.

The broader approach combines a defined set of compulsory academic examinations with opportunities to develop practical skills. Its effectiveness will depend on how well schools implement the framework and communicate the rules to students and parents.