CBSE 2025–26 Passing Marks and Grace Marks Criteria Explained

Every year, students and parents search for clear information about the CBSE passing marks and grace marks rules. For the 2025–26 session, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has kept the core criteria similar to previous years, but it’s always better to know the exact details before exams. Let’s go through them in simple terms.

Passing Marks Criteria for CBSE 2025–26

To pass any subject in the CBSE Board exam (Class 10 or 12), students need to secure a minimum percentage in both theory and practical/internal assessments. Here’s the detailed breakdown:

Class	Subject Type	Total Marks	Passing Marks	Important Notes
Class 10	Theory	80	26 (33%)	Students must also pass internal assessment separately.
Class 10	Internal/Practical	20	7 (33%)	Combined score should be at least 33% in total.
Class 12	Theory	70 / 80	Minimum 23 to 26 marks depending on subject	Each subject requires 33% overall to pass.
Class 12	Practical/Project	20 / 30	7 to 10 marks	Passing practical is compulsory; no averaging allowed.

Grace Marks Criteria for CBSE 2025–26

CBSE allows grace marks in certain cases to help students who are just short of the passing mark. However, this is not automatic and depends on the overall performance of students in that exam year.

Condition	Grace Marks Provided	Remarks
Student fails in one subject by a few marks	Up to 5 grace marks	CBSE may award these to declare the student “Pass.”
Student fails in two subjects by 1–2 marks each	Grace marks can be divided between subjects	Depends on the moderation policy of that year.
Overall result close to pass percentage	CBSE can give up to 5 marks to improve total	Given only if it helps in changing “Fail” to “Pass.”
Additional subject rule (Class 10)	If failed in one main subject	Marks of additional subject may replace the lowest score.

Key Points Students Should Remember

• You must pass theory and practical exams separately.
• Grace marks are not guaranteed; they depend on CBSE moderation policy.
• Failing in more than two subjects cannot be covered by grace marks.
• Always check your school’s internal marks before final exams.
• Keep practicing sample papers and marking schemes from CBSE’s official site.

What Happens If You Still Fail After Grace Marks?

If a student fails even after grace marks, CBSE allows the compartment exam. You can reappear in the failed subject(s) in July or the next academic session. It’s a fair second chance for students to clear their exams without losing a full year.

CBSE Compartment Exam 2025–26 Overview

Particular	Details
Eligibility	Students who fail in one or two subjects
Exam Month	Likely in July 2026
Result Declaration	Within one month after the exam
Passing Criteria	Same as regular CBSE rules (33%)

Final Advice

Students often worry about grace marks, but the real focus should be on consistent preparation. Use mock tests, online doubt-solving tools, and NCERT examples to build confidence. If you prepare well, you won’t need grace marks at all.

For more tips and AI-powered math learning for classes 6–12, visit Fuzy Math Academy.

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