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.
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