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 marks. 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 miss out by 01 marks or so, decision
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 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 practical | 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
Hi! If you’re looking for the Class 11 English half yearly question paper for 2025-26 (CBSE board), you’ll find the right resource once you check the link provided from Careers360. Solving previous or sample papers is a smart way to prepare, as it helps you understand the question types, marking scheme, and important topics. This practice will boost your confidence and help you manage your time well in the actual exam.
https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-class-11-half-yearly-sample-papers-2025-26
Hi dear candidate,
Could you please specify us the board of education for which you need the half yearly question papers of class X so that we can help you further.
Below are few links which may help you and it has all the subjects with English as well:
CBSE Class 10 Half Yearly Exam Question Paper 2025-26 with Answer Key & Analysis
ICSE Class 10 Half Yearly Sample Papers 2025-26 PDF (All Subjects)
BEST REGARDS
Hi dear candidate,
Can you please specify the board of education or state for which you need to know the exam pattern and syllabus so that we can guide you accordingly.
Since, most of the boards uses NCERT as base syllabus, you can refer to the link below:
NCERT Syllabus for Class 10 – All Subjects PDF Download 2025-26
Exam pattern:
CBSE 10th New Exam Pattern 2026- Marking Scheme, Subject-Wise Exam Pattern
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The CBSE Class 10th Board Exams for the 2026 session will follow the revised curriculum, emphasizing competency-based questions.
Conducting Body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Exam Period: The main theory exams are typically held between February and April 2026.
Grading: Based on marks in five main subjects plus internal assessment marks (often 20 marks per subject) provided by the school.
Passing Criteria: You must achieve at least 33% overall in each subject (theory + practical/internal assessment combined) to be declared pass.
The most crucial element of your preparation is understanding the exam structure:
Syllabus: Strictly adhere to the rationalized syllabus released by CBSE for the 2025-26 academic year.
Practice: Your primary resource should be the latest sample papers and previous year question papers. These accurately reflect the format and types of competency questions being asked.
For the most comprehensive and official announcements, including the detailed time table and access to crucial practice materials, always check the official board updates, as tracked by Careers360: https://school.careers360.com/exams/cbse-class-10th .
HELLO,
If you want admission to 9th grade under the CBSE board in Andhra Pradesh , visit nearby CBSE affiliated schools during the admission period that is generally from January to April or you can check the official websites of the schools in which you are interested for admission if they are accepting the admissions now .
After deciding the school and getting information about admission deadline from the school you can fill out the admission form with documents submission like your previous report card , transfer certificate and birth certificate , they make take entrance test or interview to confirm your admission
To know more visit :- https://school.careers360.com/schools/cbse-schools-in-andhra-pradesh
Hope this Helps!
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