Delhi revises Class 9 assessment system; vocational education, third language made compulsory

The Delhi government has revised Class 9 examination and promotion system from 2026-27 academic session. It has made vocational education and a third language mandatory. Optional advanced-level examinations in Mathematics and Science has also been introduced.

Under the new scheme, Class 9 students will study six main subjects-Language-1, Language-2, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Vocational Education (Kaushal Vikas). As per circular issued by the Directorate of Education on August 17, these subjects will determine academic progression and promotion to Class 10.

Vocational Education has been made compulsory to provide students with early exposure to skill-based learning and employability skills, the Directorate said.

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Third-language mandatory

The revised system also makes a third language (R3) mandatory from Class 9. Students will continue with the same three-language combination studied in Class VIII, with one of the languages designated as R3.

The third language will be assessed entirely at the school level and marksheet will indicate whether a student is 'qualified' or 'not qualified'.

A student who fails to qualify in R3 in Class 9 can still be promoted to Class 10 if they meet the other promotion criteria. However, they will have to clear the Class 9 R3 assessment while studying in Class 10. They will be prohibited from appearing for Class 10 or matric board examination unless they qualify in the third language.

The Directorate has also introduced two levels of Mathematics and Science for Class 9. All students will appear for the common Mathematics and Science examinations based on the prescribed syllabus, while those seeking to study beyond the standard syllabus can opt for Mathematics Advanced, Science Advanced or both.

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The advanced-level examinations will carry 25 marks and have a duration of one hour, with questions focusing on higher-order thinking skills. Marks scored in these examinations will not be considered for promotion or the overall aggregate.

Students securing at least 50 percent in an advanced-level examination will have the achievement recorded on their marksheet, according to the circular.

The Directorate has discontinued the existing Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard examination structure for Class 9 students from the 2026-27 academic session. The existing system, however, will continue for Class 10 students during 2026-27.

As part of the revised curriculum, 'Individuals in Society', Art Education, and Physical Education and Well-Being have also been made compulsory curricular areas, with school-based assessments.

Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence (CT & AI) will be introduced as structured modules in all schools during 2026-27 and will become a compulsory subject from the 2027-28 academic session, the Directorate said.

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Passing marks

The revised promotion rules require students to secure at least 33 percent separately in internal assessment/practical and external assessment in each of the six main subjects. Students must also score at least 25 percent in the annual examination to be eligible for promotion.

Students who fail in up to three of the six main subjects will be eligible to appear for compartment examinations. Those who remain ineligible for promotion or compartment examinations will be declared 'Essential Repeat' and will have to repeat Class 9.

(With PTI inputs)