‘Careers are at stake’: CBSE removes additional subject option for private students without prior notice

Recently, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the CBSE Board Exam 2026 form for private candidates, but this time, students can no longer choose an additional subject they didn't opt for in Class 12. Without prior notice, CBSE has removed the additional subject options this year, leaving several students in limbo.

Several students expressed that they intended to choose an additional subject, such as Mathematics, to become eligible for an entrance exam like JEE, as they had not taken it during Class 12. CBSE’s decision to remove the option of additional subjects for Board Exams 2026 without any prior notice has left many students in a state of uncertainty regarding their career paths.

“This year, CBSE has removed the option for private candidates to appear in an additional subject. Earlier, this facility was available, and many students, including me, had planned their year with this option as a backup. The sudden removal without prior notice is causing serious academic loss and wastage of a drop year for many others like me,” a private CBSE student Amaan said.

The additional subject option helped many students who wanted to take a different subject to pursue their higher education.

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“This blocks passed-out students from adding one subject for example, Mathematics, after PCB) needed for engineering and other admissions. even though this was a viable option till last year that is 2024 - 2025 session but cbse suddenly discontinued this without any prior notice and many students like who had taken a drop year are now suffering due to this,” another student wrote to Careers360.

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CBSE rule change sparks student concerns

For students who have taken a gap year, aiming to add a subject has created uncertainty. The availability of additional subject options has always been crucial for student who wish to strengthen their academic profile and build careers aligned with professional requirements.

“I am a 2024 Class 12 pass-out with an RT in Mathematics. CBSE earlier allowed three chances to clear an RT, including through the “additional subject” option. This year, without notice, CBSE removed that option on 9 September, leaving many students — including second-time JEE droppers like me — with no way to clear RT,” another student, Kumar Aditya said.

Private CBSE students have urged the board to make the additional subject option available or atleast provide an alternative mechanism to appear in the additional subjects exam.

CBSE conducts exams for private students along with the board’s main exams. As per the CBSE’s schedule, the last date to fill the application form is September 30, and the deadline for filling with a late fee will begin on October 3 and continue till October 11.