CBSE Minimum Attendance and Exemption Rules 2026 for Class 10 and 12

CBSE Minimum Attendance

As per the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Rule 13 of Examination Bye-laws, students need at least 75% attendance as of January 1 of the year of examination. Only students who have a minimum of 75% attendance will be eligible to appear in the CBSE board Class 10 and 12 examinations.

The minimum attendance for sports students is 60%. In case of a shortage in attendance due to sponsored tournaments and sports, the CBSE board will consider the shortage of 15% attendance. The students will get full attendance for authorised participation. However, the sponsored tournament and sports meet must not be less than inter-school level and at NCC/NSS camps.

CBSE Minimum Attendance and Exemption Schedule 2025-26

Also, Check: Final CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet 2025-26

CBSE Minimum Attendance 2025-26

Below, we have provided pointers that schools must follow to ensure students maintain a minimum attendance.

• Inform Students and Parents: Students and parents must be informed that the minimum attendance requirement for the academic year 2025-26 is 75%. Any students who wish to apply for leave due to medical or any other reason will have to provide proper medical and other documents at the time of availing leave. In case a student is absent without a proper written leave request, it will be considered an unauthorised absence from the school.
• Leave Procedure: To apply for leave, students must inform their respective school of the absence with a valid reason in writing. They must submit a leave application along with valid medical/ other documents immediately after availing the leave. Students will be treated as non-attending/dummy candidates in case of absence without proper leave records.
• Attendance Monitoring: Schools are advised to regularly monitor and maintain correct attendance records. The attendance register must be updated on a daily basis and signed by the class teacher and the competent authority of the school. It has to be ready for inspection by the CBSE board at any time.
• Parental Communication: If a student is absent frequently or fails to maintain the minimum attendance requirement, then the school must inform the parents in writing through registered or speed Post, e-mail, pointing out the importance of regular attendance.
• Inspections by the CBSE: The board will conduct surprise inspections once in a while to verify that students are maintaining their attendance. The board will take strict action against those students who have not been attending classes regularly.

Note: CBSE will not allow students with less than 75% attendance to appear in the Board examinations

CBSE Regular Course Attendance Rules 2025-26

Students appearing for the CBSE board exam must learn the rules and regulations that are applied by the schools. Only eligible students can sit for the CBSE board exams. Check out the CBSE attendance rules for the regular course below.

• Students should have at least 75% attendance in classes held from the day of commencement of classes up to 1st month in which the exam will be conducted.

• Students who failed the same exam in the previous year for Class 10 or 12 must have 75% attendance from 1st of the month following the publication of the results to the 1st month of the preceding month in which the board exam will be held.

• In case of migration, attendance at the recognised school by the Education department of the State/ UT from which the student will migrate will be taken into consideration.

CBSE Rules for Condonation of Shortage of Attendance 2025-26

If a student has less attendance, then they will have to reach out to their respective school authorities. The Head of the Institution has to report the issue to the concerned regional officer either with a recommendation or valid reasons for condonation at least three weeks before the commencement of the examination. Only after a proper request letter and document submission, the Chairman will issue orders for condonation of the shortage of attendance.

CBSE Board 60-75% Attendance

In case a student’s attendance is short by 15% then the head of the school has to submit the name of the student to the board provisionally. The Chairman of the CBSE board condones the shortage of attendance up to 15%.

CBSE Board Less than 60% Attendance

Students with attendance below 60% in Classes 10 or 12 will be considered by the Chairman for shortage of attendance under exceptional cases only. Check out the considered valid reasons for the shortage of attendance below:

• Prolonged illness

• Loss of father/ mother or some other such incident leading to the candidate's absence from school

• Any other reason of a similar serious nature.

• Full attendance for authorised participation in sponsored tournaments and sports meets of not less than inter-school level and at NCC/NSS camps, including the days of the journey.

Documents Required for Considering Condonation of Shortage of Attendance

Below, we have provided a table with reasons that will be considered valid for the shortage of attendance. Along with that, we have listed the documents that will be required for the consideration of the condonation of the shortage of attendance.

CBSE Exemption Rules 2025-26 for Candidates with Disabilities

As defined in ‘The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and Guidelines’, the CBSE board offers exemptions to candidates with disabilities. Students can check out the CBSE exemption rules below to check if they are eligible to sit for the CBSE written examinations for Classes 10 and 12.

CBSE Exemption Rules for Class 10

CBSE Exemption Rules for Class 12