CBSE Board Exam 2026: 75% Attendance Now Mandatory for Class 10 and 12 Students

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a new attendance rule for the 2025–26 academic session, making 75% classroom attendance compulsory for all students appearing in the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations in 2026. The latest directive aims to encourage regular school attendance, improve discipline, and ensure fair internal assessments across schools affiliated with the board.

75% Attendance Required for Board Eligibility

According to the CBSE notice issued on Monday, students with less than 75% attendance will not be allowed to sit for the board exams. Moreover, their internal assessment marks and final mark sheets will not be released if they fail to meet the attendance requirement. The board clarified that this rule is designed to discourage students who rely entirely on private coaching and neglect school classes.

CBSE officials said the decision addresses growing complaints about poor attendance in schools. “Regular classroom learning builds a deeper understanding of subjects, while internal assessments cannot be conducted accurately if students remain absent,” a board representative explained.

Schools to Complete Internal Assessments on Time

Under the revised guidelines, schools must complete internal assessments within the stipulated time frame. They are also barred from introducing any new subjects without prior approval from CBSE. These steps are expected to promote better resource management, standardize subject offerings, and provide equal learning opportunities to all students.

Two-Year Curriculum Structure

The CBSE has reaffirmed that Classes 9–10 and 11–12 will continue as two-year academic programs. Students must study their chosen subjects consistently across both years.

• Class 10 students can take five compulsory subjects and up to two additional subjects.

• Class 12 students are allowed one additional subject beyond their core selections.

However, students can only choose subjects for which the school provides qualified teachers, laboratories, and other required facilities.

Internal Assessment Rules Tightened

The new guidelines extend to internal assessments across all subjects, which are to be conducted over two academic years in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Students missing regular classes will not be eligible for internal assessment, which means their final results cannot be declared even if they appear for the written board examination.

Guidelines for Compartment Exams

The CBSE has also clarified the process for compartment or “essential repeat” exams. If a student fails in an additional subject, they can reappear as a private candidate. However, those who fail to meet the 75% attendance requirement will not be allowed to take an additional subject as a private candidate in the same session.

Why the New Rule Matters

This landmark decision is intended to bring students back to classrooms at a time when many rely heavily on coaching institutes, often skipping school lectures and practical sessions. The board believes regular attendance will not only enhance academic discipline but also strengthen teacher-student engagement and overall learning outcomes.

With the new policy, CBSE schools are expected to monitor attendance more strictly and report any discrepancies promptly. For students and parents, this means careful planning to ensure attendance remains above the 75% threshold, safeguarding eligibility for internal assessments and final board examinations.

The CBSE’s move marks a significant shift toward restoring the importance of classroom learning and ensuring that every candidate appearing for the 2026 board exams meets the same academic standards and evaluation criteria.