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.
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“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:
| 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 practicals | Applicable if short by 01 mark | Up to 01 mark |
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.
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.
| 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 |
| Subjects | Maximum Marks for IA/Practical Exams | Passing 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 |
| Subject | Maximum Marks for Theory Exam | Maximum Marks for Practical and IA | Passing Marks for Theory | Passing 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 |
| Subject | Maximum Marks for Theory | Maximum Marks for Practicals/ IA | Minimum Marks for Theory | Minimum 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 |
| Subject | Maximum Marks for Theory Exam | Maximum Marks for Practicals/ IA | Minimum Marks for Theory | Minimum 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)
No, grace marks cannot be requested. They are awarded solely at the discretion of CBSE.
No, grace marks are given only at CBSE’s discretion. They are restricted to situations involving a deficit of just one mark.
As per official data available, CBSE awards up to 01 grace mark if a student narrowly misses the passing criteria.
On Question asked by student community
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:
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.
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
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