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

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 ?

HELLO,

I am attaching the link through which you can download and access the Bangalore Sahodaya Class 10th CBSE question paper of Mathematics ( Basic )

Here is the link :- https://school.careers360.com/download/ebooks/bangalore-sahodaya-class-10-mathematics-basic-question-paper-2025-26

It will help you to practice basic level numerical questions, strengthen fundamentals and prepare confidently for the board

HELLO,

Below i am attaching the direct link of Careers360 through which you can download the Bangalore Sahodaya Class 10th Mathematics Basic Question paper 2025 2026

Here is the link :- https://school.careers360.com/download/ebooks/bangalore-sahodaya-class-10-mathematics-basic-question-paper-2025-26

Hope this will help you!

Hello

You will be able to download the CBSE Class 10th Maths Sample Paper 2025-26 using the link which is given below.

https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-10th-maths-sample-papers-2025-26

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Here you can access the last 5 years CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Question Papers from the mentioned link below:

https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-previous-year-question-papers-class-10

Hope it helps.

You can check the Class 11 English half yearly question paper and answer key for 2025 26 on the Careers360 website. These papers help students practice, understand the exam pattern, and check their answers for better preparation.

You can visit this Careers360 link to access the English question paper and