CBSE Board Exams 2025: 75% attendance must for students to be eligible, reiterates board

NEW DELHI: For upcoming board exams 2025, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reminded schools of examination bye-laws which mandate 75% attendance for students to be eligible for the exams. As per the regulations, the board offers 25% relaxation only in cases of medical emergencies, participation in national sports, and other reasons, given the necessary document is submitted in support of the claims.

“It is well understood that schools are not just centers for academic learning but play a critical role in the overall development of students. Along with imparting subject knowledge, schools facilitate extracurricular activities, peer learning, character building, values inculcation, teamwork, collaboration, respecting diversity, inclusion, and many more. Therefore, the regular attendance of students in the school is vital to ensuring their holistic development,” said CBSE in an official circular.

The board issued directions for schools and listed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for dealing with students who have less attendance. It also mentioned the documents schools need to procure from such students and their parents and submit to the regional office while requesting for condonation.

CBSE will calculate the attendance submitted by students on January 1 of the academic session and schools can send shortage of attendance cases by January 7.

Also read CBSE Class 10, 12 practical exams 2025 for winter-bound schools from November 5

CBSE Board Exams 2025: Attendance guidelines

Stating that regular attendance is essential not only for meeting Class 10, 12 board exams 2025 eligibility but also for creating responsible and well-rounded individuals, the board directed the schools to ensure the following:

• Inform students and parents about the 75% attendance rule and the consequences of not meeting the requirement. Students on leave are required to apply immediately for leave with proper medical prescription and certificates, in case they fall ill. Leave without a written request will be considered unauthorized absence.
• Students must inform schools of their absence with a valid reason, in writing. In case, students are found to be absent without leave records during inspections, CBSE will not allow them to appear for board exams 2025.
• Schools must update attendance registers daily and regularly monitor attendance records.
• In case a student frequently misses classes, schools must inform his or her parents in written and inform them that failure to meet attendance requirements will result in student being disqualified from board exams.
• CBSE may conduct surprise inspections to verify student attendance records. During such inspections, if it is found that the records are incomplete or students have not been attending regularly, strict action will be taken against the school including disaffiliation. The students may also be disqualified from appearing in the board exams.