CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028: Five Compulsory Subjects, Skill Paper as Safety Net
CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2028 will include five compulsory subjects and an optional skill-based paper. Explore all 22 skill subjects and understand the new exam rules.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Scheme of Studies for students entering Class 9 in the 2026-27 academic session, who will appear for their Class 10 board examinations in 2028.
Under the new scheme, students will take five compulsory subjects, with the option to choose an additional skill-based subject. The additional subject can serve as an alternative if a student fails in one of the main subjects, such as Mathematics, Science or Social Science, subject to prescribed rules of the CBSE.
CBSE Class 10 Board Exams: Five Compulsory Subjects
The five compulsory board-examination subjects of CBSE are -
- Two languages
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
Students attending a class in an Indian school classroom. (Image Credit: Google)
Skill Subject as an Additional Safety Net
Vocational education will continue to be an important part of the curriculum for Class 10 students appearing for the 2028 board examinations. Students can choose either Kaushal Vikas or one of the 22 skill subjects notified by CBSE, with those opting for a skill subject required to appear for its board examination in Class 10.
The marks obtained will be reflected in the CBSE marksheet. However, students choosing Kaushal Vikas will be assessed internally by their respective schools.
Indian school students writing their CBSE Class 10 board examination in an exam hall. (Image Credit: Google)
To align the introduction of the new curricular areas with the implementation schedule, CBSE has clarified that the subjects ‘Individuals in Society’ and ‘Modules of CT and AI’ will not be included in the Class 9 curriculum for the 2026-27 academic session.
Similarly, ‘Environmental Education’ will not be part of the Class 10 curriculum for the 2027-28 session. This information was shared by Praggya M Singh, Director (Academics), CBSE, in a communication addressed to school principals.
The revised scheme aims to provide students with more opportunities to explore skill-based subjects alongside their core academic subjects.
The new rules will apply to students currently in Class 9, who will appear for their Class 10 board exams in 2028.