CBSE issues notice on minimum requirements to appear in board examinations: Check details here

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a sweeping directive tightening the eligibility norms for students appearing in the Class 10 and 12 board examinations. The new notice makes it clear that no student will be allowed to write the exams without fulfilling strict academic and attendance requirements, marking one of the board’s most stringent measures in recent years.

The CBSE, under the Ministry of Education, emphasized that while the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) functions under the open and distance learning model, CBSE operates strictly through the face-to-face schooling framework. The latest guidelines are designed to ensure accountability, discipline, and proper implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Two-year structure is now bindingCBSE has formally declared that Class X and Class XII will be treated as two-year programmes. This means Class IX and Class X together constitute a complete course for the Class 10 exam, while Class XI and XII together form the foundation for the Class 12 exam.

Any subject taken in board classes must have been studied for two consecutive years. Students attempting to take shortcuts, such as enrolling late or skipping foundation classes, will be disqualified.
Mandatory attendanceThe board has made it explicit that students must have at least 75% attendance to be eligible for board exams.

• Attendance will be closely tracked, and schools are required to maintain daily registers.
  
• Condonation of up to 25% is allowed only under extreme circumstances, such as medical emergencies, bereavements, or national-level participation in sports and cultural events — and only if backed by valid documentation.
  
• Students with poor attendance and no valid justification will be treated as ineligible, regardless of whether they are enrolled as regular candidates.

Internal assessment cannot be skippedAs per NEP-2020, internal assessments are no longer an optional add-on but a core, continuous evaluation mechanism.

• Internal assessment is conducted over two years and covers periodic tests, projects, and classroom participation.
  

Students who do not attend school regularly will automatically miss these assessments.

Without internal assessment records, CBSE will not declare results, and such students will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category even if they appeared for theory exams.

Restrictions on additional subjectsCBSE has also outlined strict rules for additional subjects:

• Class X students can opt for two additional subjects beyond the compulsory five.
  
• Class XII students can take one additional subject only.
  

These subjects, too, must be studied for the entire two-year programme.

Further, the board has warned affiliated schools against offering subjects without approval. If a school lacks qualified teachers, laboratories, or CBSE’s formal permission, students will not be permitted to register for such subjects as main or additional papers.
Private candidates and repeatersThe notice clarifies the rules for repeat candidates:

• Students who previously opted for additional subjects but were placed in Compartment or Essential Repeat categories can reappear as private candidates.
  
• However, students who have not followed the prescribed two-year study and attendance requirements are not eligible to offer additional subjects as private candidates.

Why this notice is significantThis announcement marks a decisive shift towards discipline and accountability within CBSE schools. It directly targets:

• “Dummy candidates” who enroll without attending regular classes,
  
• Schools that offer unapproved subjects without adequate facilities, and
  
• Students who attempt to bypass the internal assessment framework.

By linking exam eligibility with two-year classroom learning, compulsory attendance, and continuous internal assessment, CBSE is enforcing a 360-degree compliance regime.
The bigger pictureThe reforms are in line with NEP-2020, which stresses holistic, year-round evaluation over rote, exam-centric learning. For students, this means that showing up in school and participating in classroom learning is as important as performing in final board exams.

For schools, it signals zero tolerance against unauthorized subject offerings and poor record-keeping. The board has warned that violations may invite disciplinary action, including disaffiliation.