CBSE Announces 2028 Class 10 Exam Structure: Five Compulsory Subjects with Optional Skill Paper

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released a clarification on October 29 2026 outlining the examination framework for the 2028 Class 10 board exams. Students will be required to sit for five compulsory subjects—two languages, mathematics, science and social science. In addition, they will have the option to take a skill paper, which can serve as a safety net if they fail in any of the core subjects.

The skill paper can be chosen from a list of 22 notified subjects, including artificial intelligence, data science, information technology, financial markets, healthcare and design thinking. Students who opt for a skill paper will appear for a board‑level examination in that subject, and successful candidates will receive a National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) certificate.

If a student chooses the vocational education option ‘Kaushal Vikas’, they will undergo school‑based internal assessment and receive a school certificate upon scoring at least 33 %. No board examination will be required for this option.

CBSE also clarified that certain interdisciplinary areas—‘Individuals in Society’, ‘Environmental Education’, and the ‘CT and AI’ modules—will not be part of the curriculum for the 2026‑27 Class 9 cohort that will sit for the 2028 exams. The board emphasized that the aim is to protect students’ interests by communicating these provisions well in advance.

Praggya M. Singh, Director (Academics), CBSE, stated that the introduction of vocational education remains compulsory for the 2028 batch, but students can choose between ‘Kaushal Vikas’ or any one of the 22 skill subjects.

The announcement comes amid concerns that over one‑third of Indian schools lack working computers, which could hinder the rollout of AI and other skill subjects. CBSE’s decision to offer a skill paper provides flexibility for students while maintaining the integrity of the core curriculum.

For parents and teachers, the key takeaway is that the 2028 Class 10 exam will retain the traditional five‑subject structure, with an optional skill paper that can help students secure a pass even if they struggle in mathematics, science or social science.

To verify the details, consult the official CBSE circular released on October 29 2026 and the board’s website, which lists the approved skill subjects and examination dates.