CBSE Grace Marks 2025-26: Class 10 & 12 Passing Criteria and Maximum Marks

CBSE Grace Marks 2025-26: Class 10 & 12 Passing Criteria and Maximum Marks

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CBSE Class 10th Exam Date:01 Jan' 26 - 14 Feb' 26

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Manasvini GuptaUpdated on 22 Dec 2025, 03:37 PM IST
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The Central Board of Secondary Education has a provision of awarding grace marks to students who fall slightly short of the CBSE passing criteria under certain conditions. According to CBSE guidelines, the passing marks in CBSE Class 10th and 12th are 33%. To ensure that no student fails due to a small margin, CBSE may award 01 grace mark. In the article, we have discussed the conditions under which a student can be awarded grace marks in CBSE 10th, 12th boards.

This Story also Contains

  1. CBSE Grace Marks: Overview of Official Provision
  2. CBSE Class 10 Grace Marks Policy
  3. CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy
CBSE Grace Marks 2025-26: Class 10 & 12 Passing Criteria and Maximum Marks
CBSE Grace Marks 2025-26

CBSE Grace Marks: Overview of Official Provision

“If any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and misses out by 01 mark or so, da ecision may be taken to award the grace mark(s),” mentioned in an official notice. In the following table, we have stated details of the maximum grace marks that can be awarded by CBSE and the passing criteria. Check it out to understand the official grace mark provision policy of CBSE:

ClassPassing MarksGrace Marks ProvisionMaximum 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 practicals

Applicable if short by 01 mark

Up to 01 mark

CBSE Class 10 Grace Marks Policy

  • For CBSE Class 10, a student needs to secure a minimum of 33% marks in total, including both theory and internal assessment, to pass the exams.

  • In cases where a student falls short by just one mark, such as scoring 32 instead of 33, CBSE may grant 01 grace mark to help the student qualify as ‘Pass.’

  • The CBSE Class 10 grace mark provision is meant to ensure that students are not declared failed simply due to a one-mark difference.

CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy

  • To pass CBSE Class 12 exams, students are required to secure at least 33% marks separately in both theory and practical exams.

  • If a student falls short by just 01 mark in meeting this condition, CBSE may award grace marks to help them pass. However, if the gap is more than one mark, the student will not be eligible for grace marks under the board’s rules.

CBSE Class 10th Syllabus 2025-26
Students can access the subject-wise CBSE Class 10 syllabus for the 2025–26 academic session.
Check Now

Subject-Wise CBSE Class 10 Passing Marks (Theory)

SubjectsMaximum MarksPassing 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

Subject-Wise CBSE Class 10 Passing Marks (Practical)

SubjectsMaximum Marks for IA/Practical ExamsPassing Marks for IA/Practical Exams

Mathematics- Basic

20

06

Mathematics- Advanced

20

06

Science

20

06

Social Science

20

06

English

20

06

Computer Applications

70

23

Other Regional and Foreign Languages

20

06

CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks for Science Stream

SubjectMaximum Marks for Theory ExamMaximum Marks for Practical and IAPassing Marks for TheoryPassing Marks for IA/Practicals

Physics

70

30

23

10

Chemistry

70

30

23

10

Mathematics

80

20

26

06

Biology

70

30

23

10

English Core

80

20

23

06

CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks for Commerce Stream

SubjectMaximum Marks for TheoryMaximum Marks for Practicals/ IAMinimum Marks for TheoryMinimum Marks for Practicals/ IA

Business Studies

70

30

23

10

Accountancy

70

30

23

10

Economics

80

20

27

06

Maths

70

30

23

10

CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks for Arts Stream

SubjectMaximum Marks for Theory ExamMaximum Marks for Practicals/ IAMinimum Marks for TheoryMinimum Marks for Practicals/ IA

Sociology

80

20

27

06

Political Science

80

20

27

06

Psychology

70

30

23

10

History

80

20

27

06

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can students request CBSE for grace marks?
A:

No, grace marks cannot be requested. They are awarded solely at the discretion of CBSE.

Q: Are grace marks automatically given by CBSE in board exams?
A:

No, grace marks are given only at CBSE’s discretion. They are restricted to situations involving a deficit of just one mark.

Q: How many grace marks are given by CBSE?
A:

As per official data available, CBSE awards up to 01 grace mark if a student narrowly misses the passing criteria.

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Questions related to CBSE Class 10th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 10th ?

Good Morning, candidate,

The question papers will be available soon at the link attached herewith. You can keep an eye on the website of careers360. it will provide you perfect pattern of question papers, which will improve your writing skills and practice learning.

https://school.careers360.com/articles/cbse-sahodaya-class-10-pre-board- question-paper-2025-26

Thank you.

Hello,

You can download subject wise CBSE Sahodaya Class 10 Pre-Board Question Paper 2025-26 for Round 1 & Round 2 from this link : CBSE Sahodaya Class 10 Pre-Board Question Paper 2025-26

Hope it helps !

Hello there,

Solving question papers is one of the best method of preparation. It gives you proper idea about the exam pattern and important topics to cover.

Here is the link attached from the official website of Careers360 which will provide you with the CBSE Sahodaya question papers. Hope it helps!

https://school.careers360.com/articles/sahodaya-question-paper-2025

thank you!

The CBSE Class 10 Hindi Question Paper Blueprint (Marking Pattern) for the 2025-2026 Board Exam is divided into four main sections, with a total of 80 marks for the written exam. The structure is slightly different for Hindi Course A and Hindi Course B.You can download the official Sample Question Paper (SQP) and its Marking Scheme for both Hindi Course A and Course B here: https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-class-10-hindi-sample-papers-2025-26

The CBSE Sahodaya Question Papers for Class 10 (2025-26) are not released centrally by the board as a single PDF.

Here is the essential information you need:

  1. Local Release: The papers are designed and released by the individual Sahodaya School Clusters (groups of CBSE schools) just before or during the pre-board exam dates (typically held in December and January). Therefore, you must check your local cluster's portal or directly with your school administration.

  2. Best Practice: The official model papers, based on the full 2026 syllabus, are the most reliable tool for practice. These accurately reflect the structure, format, and competency-based questions used in the Sahodaya exams.

You can download the latest CBSE Class 10 Model Papers to simulate the Sahodaya tests here: https://school.careers360.com/articles/sahodaya-question-paper-2025 . Focus on that pattern