CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 LIVE: Science paper today; total marks, passing criteria, pattern

To pass the CBSE Class 10 board exam, students must score at least 33% in theory, 33% in practical or internal assessment separately, and 33% overall. This means students need a minimum of 26.4 marks out of 80 in the theory exam to pass.

In CBSE Class 10, as per the 80/20 rule, 80 marks are for the board theory exam, and 20 marks are for internal assessment like projects, practicals and exams.

In CBSE Class 10 Science, the toughest chapter varies from student to student, but most students find these chapters the most difficult:

• Electricity (Physics)
• Magnetic Effects of Electric Current (Physics)
• Carbon and Its Compounds (Chemistry)
• Life Processes (Biology)

For the first time this year, the CBSE Class 10 Science answer booklet is divided into three sections: Section A for Biology, Section B for Chemistry, and Section C for Physics. 

This year, nearly 25 lakh students will take the Class 10 exams, including around 14 lakh boys and 10.9 lakh girls and for Class 12, approximately 10.2 lakh boys and 8.3 lakh girls are expected to appear.

As per the CBSE guidelines, students must strictly follow these rules on exam days:

• Arrive at the examination centre at least 45–60 minutes before the scheduled start time.

• Entry will be denied once the gates are closed.

• Students must remain seated until the exam ends and the final bell is announced.

• Exchanging stationery or discussing answers inside the exam hall is not permitted.

The following items are strictly banned inside the examination hall:

• Mobile phones and other electronic gadgets

• Smartwatches or digital devices

• Calculators, unless officially allowed

• Notes, papers, or any written material

Students must score at least 33% marks in every subject to pass, including theory, practical, and internal assessment components. They are also required to pass theory and practical exams separately wherever applicable.

Students appearing for the exams should bring the following:

• Admit card

• School identity card

• Blue or black ballpoint pens

• Pencils and eraser

• Transparent water bottle

The chapters included in the Physics sections are:

• Electricity
• Light-Reflection & Refraction
• Human Eye & Colourful World
• Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

The weightage of chemistry section is 25 marks. Electricity chapter carriers 10 marks, Light-Reflection & Refraction consits 8 marks, Human Eye & Colourful World chapter include 4 marks and Magnetic Effects  of Electric Current carries 3 marks.

The chapters included in the CBSE Class 10 Chemistry Board Exam 2026 is Mentals & Non-metals chapter, Acid, Bases & Salts and Carbon & its Compounds

The weightage of chemistry section is 25 marks. Mentals & Non-metals chapter carriers 12 marks, Acid, Bases & Salts chapter consits 7 marks and Carbon & its Compounds carries 6 marks.

The weightage of biology section is 30 marks. Only Life processes chapter include 10 marks and other four chapters: Control & Coordination, How Do Organisms Reproduce?, Our Environment, and Heredity & Evolution consists 5 marks each.

Biology section consits five chapters: Life processes, Control & Coordination, How Do Organisms Reproduce?, Our Environment, and Heredity & Evolution.

To register for the CBSE Class 10 Board phase 2 exam 2026, students must qualify in the mentioned below category. 

• Candidates who completed Phase 1 but want to enhance their scores in up to three subjects.
• Those who failed one or two subjects in Phase 1 might reapply to pass those specific exams.
• Those who qualified after replacing a failed primary subject with a vocational/skills subject.
• Athletes that competed in national/international sporting events that conflicted with Phase 1 dates may participate in Phase 2.

This year, CBSE will conduct the class 10 board exams twice a year. This initative aims to reduce student stress by giving a second chance to improve scores within the same year.