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, in special cases, under this, to award 1 grace mark so 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 the CBSE 10th and Class 12 passing marks 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 (Released) For Phase 1
- CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 PDF (Phase 1 Released)
CBSE Grace Marks 2026: Meaning, Rules & Official Overview
As stated in the official notice, when a student cannot reach 33% and misses it 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 Passing Marks 2026: Minimum Marks Required for Class 10 & 12
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 passing marks 2026 and other important details below to understand clearly.
CBSE Class 10th Passing Marks
CBSE Class 10 Passing Criteria 2026 for Theory Subjects
| Subjects | Maximum Marks | Passing Marks |
| Mathematics – Basic | 80 | 27 |
| Mathematics- Advanced | 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 Practical Passing Marks 2026
| 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 Class 12 Passing Marks 2026: Complete Criteria
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 Class 12 Science Passing Marks 2026 (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology)
| 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 Class 12 Commerce Passing Marks 2026: Subject-Wise Criteria
| 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 Class 12 Arts Passing Marks 2026: Minimum Marks
| 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 Policy for Class 10 and 12
CBSE Class 10 Grace Marks Rules 2026
- In the case of CBSE Class 10, the overall marks of theory and internal assessment should be at least 33 per cent to pass the exam.
- In case a student fails by only 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 Rules 2026
- To pass the CBSE 12th exams, students need 33% marks in both theory and practicals separately, as follows: 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
CBSE Passing Criteria 2026 (As Per Official Guidelines)
The board has certain simple rules, which need to be followed in order to pass the CBSE Class 10 and 12 board exams. These are easy rules that are of great significance to follow.
Minimum Marks Requirement:
Students have to achieve a minimum of 33 per cent in each subject. This implies that you would be required to pass all five primary subjects separately. When you fail to do so in the main exam, you have a second opportunity in the compartment exam.
Passing Rule for Class 12 (Theory + Practical)
In subjects with practicals (such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology), students must pass both parts:
- You must score 33% in theory
- And 33 in practical or internal assessment separately.
Although your total is good, a failure in either theory or practical will lead to a failed result in that subject.
Passing Rule for Class 10 (Theory + Internal Combined)
In Class 10, marks are counted collectively:
- You are required to have 33 per cent in total (theory, combined with internal assessment)
- This does not have any separate passing criteria in theory and internal marks.
Meaning of Result Status (RT & RP)
In case a student fails to achieve the passing requirements:
- RT (Repeat Theory) implies that you have to repeat taking the theory exam.
- RP (Repeat Practical) implies that you should repeat the practical or the internal part.
How CBSE Calculates Grace Marks: Step-by-Step Explanation
The CBSE board determines the grace marks by 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 the CBSE 10th 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.
Important Facts About CBSE Grace Marks Every Student Should Know
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 the CBSE passing mark in Class 10 and 12 in the year 2026, and the paper is difficult for 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 the 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 examinations in subject-wise results.
- Written By: Saumya Sarin,
- Reviewed By: Motion Academic Team,
- Last Updated: March, 2026.
CBSE Passing Marks & Grace Marks 2026: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the passing marks required in CBSE Board Exams 2026?
You need at least 33% in the CBSE Board Exams 2026. The CBSE passing marks 2026 apply 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 the 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 are 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 a 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 the CBSE Board exam?
The majority of CBSE schools have a 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 retake the subject in an improvement examination in the CBSE and proceed with their education. This is part of the CBSE 10th exam and 12th exam rules.
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: Can I pass CBSE board exams if I fail in theory but pass in practical?
No, you cannot pass when you have failed in theory, even when you have good practical marks. According to the CBSE regulations, the students are required to achieve a minimum of 33 per cent in theory and practical (on the subjects that have practical’s in Class 12). In case you fail the theory, you would have to take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) a compartment exam in that subject.
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.
Q: What is a compartment exam in CBSE, and who can apply?
A compartment exam is a second chance given by CBSE to students who fail in one or two subjects in the main board exams. Instead of repeating the whole year, you can reappear only for the failed subjects. If you pass the compartment exam, you are considered passed for that academic year.
