Quick Summary: CBSE passing marks for Class 10 and 12 in 2026 are 33% in theory and practical separately. Students with a shortfall of 1 mark can also be awarded grace marks and, in some instances, even 3-5 marks to enable them to pass. The subject-wise passing marks, Class 10 and Class 12 tables, calculation of Grace marks, examples, Class 10th,12th grading system, grade range, and several critical rules that the students need to adhere to are all explained in the blog.
The CBSE Passing Marks for Class 10th & 12th are decided by the Central Board of Secondary Education. These scores are the minimum marks students need to clear the CBSE 10th and 12th exams. As per the CBSE Passing Marks 2026, every student must get at least 33% of the total marks to pass. This rule is the same for theory papers, internal assessment and practicals, and students have to qualify each part separately as per the CBSE passing criteria.
CBSE also has a rule for giving CBSE Grace Marks to students who miss the required marks by a small margin. The board is allowed on special cases under this to award 1 grace mark such that students do not fail due to a very small gap. According to the guidelines, the passing marks in CBSE Class 10th and 12th remain 33%, and the CBSE Class 10 grace mark provision and CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy help students who are close to the passing score.
The subject-wise details of CBSE 10th passing marks & CBSE Class 12 pass mark 2026 in the CBSE results will be available on the official website. In this article, we have also explained the conditions for awarding grace marks, the rules for the CBSE 10th passing criteria, the role of practicals and the overall system followed in the board exams, including the CBSE 10th and 12th Assessment Scheme and CBSE Grading System.
Read More:
- CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 (Final OUT) For Phase 1
- CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 PDF (Phase 1 Released)
What are the CBSE 10th and 12th Passing Marks 2026?
As per the CBSE 10th passing criteria, students must get a minimum of 33% marks in theory papers, practicals, and internal assessment. These are the required CBSE passing marks 2026 for Class 10. Students should also remember that the CBSE 10th practical exam and internal assessment are conducted by the school. You can check the subject-wise CBSE 10th passing marks 2026 and other important details below to understand the CBSE passing marks for Class 10th & 12th clearly.
CBSE 10th Passing Marks Criteria: Theory Subjects
| Subjects | Maximum Marks | Passing Marks |
| Mathematics – Basic | 80 | 27 |
| Mathematics- Advance | 80 | 27 |
| Science | 80 | 27 |
| Social Science | 80 | 27 |
| English | 80 | 27 |
| Computer Application | 30 | 10 |
| Other Regional and Foreign Languages | 80 | 27 |
CBSE Class 10 Passing Marks 2026: Practical Exams
| Subjects | Maximum Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical Exams | Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical Exams |
| Mathematics – Basic | 20 | 6 |
| Mathematics – Advanced | 20 | 6 |
| Science | 20 | 6 |
| Social Science | 20 | 6 |
| English | 20 | 6 |
| Computer Applications | 70 | 23 |
| Other Regional and Foreign Languages | 20 | 6 |
Download: CBSE PYQs for Class 10 and CBSE PYQs Class 12
CBSE 12th Passing Marks 2026
In the CBSE 12th exams, students have to score at least 33% marks in theory and practical exams separately. This is the minimum passing mark in CBSE class 12 exams for all streams. For the Class 12 practical exam, an external examiner is appointed by the Directorate of NCC. Go through the CBSE passing marks for Class 10 and 12 in 2026, to understand the complete requirements for both classes.
CBSE 12th Passing Marks for Science (PCMB)
| Subject | Maximum Marks for Theoretical Examination | Maximum Marks for Practical and Internal Assessments | Passing Marks for Theoretical Examination | Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practicals |
| Physics | 70 | 30 | 23 | 10 |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 | 23 | 10 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 | 26 | 6 |
| Biology | 70 | 30 | 23 | 10 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 | 23 | 6 |
Check Out: CBSE Class 12th Board Exam Preparation Tips 2026
CBSE 12th Passing Marks Commerce
| Subject | Maximum Marks for Theoretical Exam | Maximum Marks for Practicals/ Internal Assessment | Minimum Marks for Theoretical Exam | Minimum Marks for Practicals/ Internal Assessment |
| Business Studies | 70 | 30 | 23 | 10 |
| Accountancy | 70 | 30 | 23 | 10 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 | 27 | 6 |
| Maths | 70 | 30 | 23 | 10 |
CBSE 12th Passing Marks Arts
| Subject | Maximum Marks for Theoretical Exam | Maximum Marks for Practicals/ Internal Assessment | Minimum Marks for Theoretical Exam | Minimum Marks for Practicals/ Internal Assessment |
| Sociology | 80 | 20 | 27 | 6 |
| Political Science | 80 | 20 | 27 | 6 |
| Psychology | 70 | 30 | 23 | 10 |
| History | 80 | 20 | 27 | 6 |
CBSE Grace Marks: Overview
As stated in the official notice, when a student cannot reach 33% and misses it only by one mark, the board may decide to give CBSE Grace Marks. The following table displays the highest allowed grace marks by CBSE and the passing rules. This will help you understand the CBSE passing criteria and how the grace mark system works for students:
| Class | Passing Marks | Grace Marks Provision | Maximum Grace Marks in CBSE Board |
| CBSE Class 10 | 33% (combined theory + internal) | Applicable if short by 01 mark | Up to 01 mark |
| CBSE Class 12 | 33% separately in theory and practical | Applicable if short by 01 mark | Up to 01 mark |
CBSE Class 10 Grace Marks Policy
- In the case of CBSE Class 10, the overall marks of theory and internal assessment should be at least 33 percent in order to pass the exam.
- In case a student fails only by one mark i.e. he/she scores 32 out of 33, CBSE can award 01 grace mark, thus the student will be treated as Pass. This follows the CBSE Class 10 grace mark provision under the CBSE 10th passing criteria.
- This rule is made so students do not fail only because of a one-mark difference while checking CBSE Passing Marks for Class 10th.
CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy
- To pass the CBSE 12th exams, students need 33% marks in both theory and practicals separately, as followed in the passing marks in CBSE Class 12th.
- If a student is behind this rule by only 01 mark, CBSE may give grace marks to help them qualify. But if the gap is more than one mark, the student cannot receive grace marks under the CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy.
Check Out: How to Write Perfect Answers in CBSE 12th Board Exams 2026 for Best Results
How Are Grace Marks Calculated?
The CBSE board determines the grace marks through examining the number of marks that a student misses. As per the official exam scheme and pass rules, the board may give CBSE Grace Marks when a student misses the passing marks in CBSE Class 10th and 12th by a small margin.
- If a student loses only 1 or 2 marks, the board can add grace marks in up to three theory papers.
- In some cases, even a gap of 3–5 marks may be considered depending on the situation and the CBSE passing criteria.
- These grace marks are added only in the theory part of the exam for CBSE 10th exam and 12th exams.
Here is an easy example to understand how the CBSE Class 10 grace mark provision or CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy works:
Note: The passing mark in theory is 23 and 10 in practical. If a student scores 22 in theory and 15 in practical, they may receive 1 grace mark so they can clear the CBSE Passing Marks 2026 requirement in theory.
What You Should Know About CBSE Grace Marks?
To understand the basics of CBSE Grace Marks, here is a simple explanation of the main things students should know about this rule and the CBSE passing criteria for the CBSE 10th exam and 12th exams.
- Purpose: Grace marks are given to help students who are slightly below the required score and may miss the CBSE Passing Marks for Class 10th & 12th, so they do not fail because of a small gap.
- Criteria: These points will be given when the student is trying to solve a challenging question or when the paper is more difficult than predicted in CBSE passing mark in Class 10 and 12 in the year 2026 and the paper is difficult to the students.
- Limit: A total of 8 marks can be given at most, though the number may change based on the situation and the overall CBSE passing criteria followed by the board.
- Invisibility: Grace marks do not appear as a separate entry on the marksheet; the final result only shows the updated score as per the CBSE Grading System and the CBSE 10th and 12th Assessment Scheme.
- Not a substitute for study: Students should not depend on grace marks, as they cannot replace regular preparation needed to meet the passing marks in CBSE Class 10th and 12th, and scoring well still needs proper study.
CBSE Grading System
CBSE Grading System is used to give grades for every scholastic subject. In the CBSE 10th and 12th Assessment Scheme, students are marked through theory exams, internal tests, and practical work. The board follows a 9-point scale for Class 10 and 12, where marks are changed into grades from A1 to E. The top performers get A1, then A2, and each grade has a set range like A1 (91–100%), A2 (81–90%), B1 (71–80%), D (33–40%), and E for scores below the CBSE passing marks for Class 10th & 12th. This Relative Grading continues to make process fair and the points are A1 to D and E as Fail.
Grade & Marks Distribution
| Grade | Marks Range | Grade Points |
| A1 | 91–100 | 10 |
| A2 | 81–90 | 9 |
| B1 | 71–80 | 8 |
| B2 | 61–70 | 7 |
| C1 | 51–60 | 6 |
| C2 | 41–50 | 5 |
| D | 33–40 | 4 |
| E | Below 33 | Fail |
Key Features
- Relative Grading: It involves the award of grades based on the performance of the students against the other students and not based on a fixed mark. Small adjustments are made in case of ties.
- Grade Point Average (GPA): Overall results are calculated using GPA, which comes from subject-wise grade points.
- No Absolute Fail (Except E): Grades D (33-40) are passing, while E means fail. E is further divided into E1 (21-32), E 2 (0-20) in some instances.
- For Class 10 & 12: This system is applicable in Class 10 and Class 12 examination in subject wise results.
FAQs on CBSE Passing/Grace Marks 2026
Q: What are the passing marks required in CBSE Board Exams 2026?
You need at least 33% in the CBSE Board Exams 2026. This CBSE passing marks 2026 applies separately to theory and practical/internal assessment for each subject, not just (just in case definition) overall. For subjects without practicals, you must score 33% in theory along with internal assessment. Missing the passing marks in CBSE Class 10th and 12th in either part means you will need to appear for a compartment exam.
Q: What is the passing marks out of 80 in CBSE Class 10?
For CBSE Class 10, the passing marks out of 80 (theory) are 26, which is 33% of 80 (80 × 0.33 = 26.4, rounded to 26). You also need 33% in practicals (if any) and internal assessments to pass the subject overall. The student must get at least grade D or above. This is part of the CBSE 10th passing marks 2026 and the CBSE passing criteria.
Q: What happens if I fail in one subject in CBSE Board exam?
The majority of CBSE schools have the policy that a student who performs poorly on one or more of the core subjects might fail in general. In these scenarios, to pass the subject students may re-write in improvement examination in the CBSE and proceed with the education. This is part of the CBSE 10th exam and 12th exams rules.
Q: When will the CBSE Board result 2026 be released?
The CBSE Class 10 & 12 results 2026 are expected in May 2026. Results of Class 10 can be late-April (Phase 1), or June (Phase 2), with Class 12 being the most likely to be in May, post-exam period between February and April 2026 with the new two-exam system. See official CBSE websites with respect to exact dates.
Q: Can students request CBSE for grace marks?
No, students cannot ask for CBSE Grace Marks. They are given automatically at the board’s decision if a student is short by a very small margin, like 1 mark, to meet the 33% passing requirement. This is part of the CBSE Class 10 grace mark provision and CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy.
Q: Are grace marks given automatically by CBSE in board exams?
Yes, grace marks in CBSE board exams are given only in certain cases to help students pass if they are short by a few marks (1–5). This is determined by the board, and such marks are not normally mentioned in the marksheet.
Q: How many grace marks does CBSE give?
The board gives CBSE Grace Marks to help students cross the 33% CBSE passing marks 2026 for Class 10th & 12th. Usually, 3–5 marks are given in some subjects (max 6 in one subject, up to 8 in total). It depends on the difficulty of the exam and the board’s decision, not fixed every year.
Q: How does the CBSE 9-point grading system work?
The CBSE Grading System uses grades A1 (highest) to E (lowest) on a 10-point scale. Students are rated against others: A1 to 91 100, D to 33 40, and E to less than 33. This is aimed at general performance and less pressure in exams. It is part of the CBSE 10th and 12th Assessment Scheme.
Q: Will grace marks show up on the marksheets?
No, the board does not show grace marks on the marksheet.
