The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday rolled out major changes to the secondary school curriculum and Class 10 board examination pattern. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, the changes will apply to students entering Class 9 from the 2026–27 academic session, with the first batch facing the new board exam format in 2028.
Under the new CBSE secondary curriculum announced on Thursday, language subjects will be structured into three levels—R1, R2 and R3—as part of a structured three-language model. R1 will be a student’s primary language, studied at an advanced level, while R2 will be a different language studied at a comparatively lower level. R3 will be introduced as a compulsory subject from Class 6 in the 2026–27 academic session and expanded to Class 10 by 2030–31.
During the transition phase, students must study and pass a third language as part of their secondary education. The same language cannot be chosen for both R1 and R2. Even if identical textbooks are used initially, the syllabus and assessment for each level will differ, meaning students may face separate question papers and varying difficulty levels based on whether they opt for R1 or R2.
“As per the recommendations of NCF-SE-2023, two out of these three languages must be languages native to India,” the curriculum document states.
CBSE has listed 44 languages covering all Scheduled languages listed in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India. Major language subjects include Hindi, English, French, Nepali, German, Russian, Santhali, Maithili, Dogri and Konkani, among others.
Students currently enrolled in Class 9 will have to appear in at least two languages in the Class 10 board examinations in 2028.
“Currently all the language subjects are treated at the same level so we have a very complicated datesheet and 2027 board exams will be the last board exams as per the current language textbooks. 2028 will be the first year where we will have two languages compulsorily – one at R1 level and other at R2 level. The datesheet for board exams of Class 10 exam in 2028 will be made accordingly and exam of language subjects will be held for two days – one day for R1 and second day for R2 and 2031 onwards will be held for three days – one day for R1 level, second day for R2 level and third day for R3 level,” CBSE chairperson Rahul Singh said during a webinar on the new scheme of study.
Singh added that 2027 board exams of Class 10 students will follow the same 2026 board exams guidelines and curriculum.
Mathematics, Science and Social Science
Mathematics and Science will undergo a major structural shift with the introduction of a two-level system from the 2026–27 academic session. All students will study the standard curriculum and sit for a common three-hour, 80-mark examination. Those seeking higher proficiency can opt for an additional “Advanced” level in either or both subjects, comprising a separate one-hour, 25-mark paper designed to test higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) and deeper conceptual understanding.
While the standard exam is mandatory, the advanced paper will be optional. Scores from the advanced paper will not be added to the overall aggregate; instead, students securing 50% or more will have the advanced qualification reflected separately on their marksheet. The 20-mark internal assessment component will remain unchanged, with no advanced differentiation. This reform replaces the existing basic and standard Mathematics system, aiming to provide greater flexibility while promoting conceptual depth. The two-level structure will be introduced for Class 9 students in 2026–27, with the first Class 10 board exams under this format scheduled for 2028.
At the secondary stage, Social Science will be updated with new textbooks and a stronger emphasis on competency-based, analytical learning in line with NCFSE 2023. Covering History, Geography, Political Science and Economics, the subject will focus on inquiry, case studies, map and data analysis, and real-life applications to build critical thinking and civic understanding. However, the assessment pattern will remain unchanged, with an 80-mark board exam and 20 marks for internal assessment, retaining the existing structure while shifting the focus towards application and reasoning.
AI and vocational subjects
Alongside core subjects—languages, mathematics, science and social science—CBSE will introduce key curricular areas such as Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Vocational Education, Physical Education and Well-being, and Interdisciplinary Studies. CT and AI will be phased in first and will become compulsory components of board examinations from 2029.
The remaining areas—Vocational Education, Physical Education, Art Education, and Interdisciplinary Studies (including Individuals in Society and Environment in Class 9)—will be assessed internally by schools through practical, competency-based methods, with a focus on civic understanding, sustainability, and real-world application of knowledge. “These are meaningful subjects… we will prepare rubrics for internal assessment… it shouldn’t degenerate into a marks-handing exercise,” Singh said.
This assessment model will be followed for the 2028–2030 board examinations, before further changes—such as the introduction of third-language testing from the 2031 board exams—are implemented.