Class 9 and 10: Board Exams and What Next

Class 9 and 10

Board exams and what next

• Class 9 builds the base and Class 10 has your first board exam. The marks matter for scholarships and Class 11 admission, and the habits you form now carry you to Class 12.
• Use NCERT as the main book, practise with the official sample papers, and start early in Class 9 instead of rushing in Class 10.
• Class 10 is also when you choose your next step: a Class 11 stream, ITI, a polytechnic diploma or NIOS.
• This map follows CBSE rules; state boards are similar but not the same.

Official sources

• CBSE Secondary Curriculum 2026-27 (PDF)
• CBSE Class 10 sample papers and marking schemes 2026-27

Inside this branch

• Deadlines now
• What's new
• How board exams work
• Study plan
• Practise like the real exam
• Scholarships
• Competitions and programmes
• Choose what's next
• Exam stress and health
• State boards and NIOS

Deadlines now

Checked 4 Oct 2026

• CBSE Class 10 board exam 2027: your school submits your registration and fee (₹1,600 for 5 subjects) by 21 October 2026 (late fee till 30 October).
• INSPIRE-MANAK idea nominations: extended to 10 October 2026 (through your school).
• Navodaya Class 9 lateral entry (for students now in Class 8): extended to 15 October 2026 (reported); test on 10 April 2027.
• Sainik School Class 9 (AISSEE 2027): notice expected in October 2026.
• The 2027 board exam date sheet was not out yet.

Official sources

• CBSE 2026-27 LOC circular: fees and registration (PDF)
• Navodaya Class 9 lateral entry prospectus 2027 (PDF)

What's new

Two board exams, two levels, three languages

Inside this branch

• Two Class 10 board exams
• Maths and Science: two levels
• Third language from Class 9

What's new

Two Class 10 board exams

• Since 2026, CBSE Class 10 has a compulsory main exam (mid-February to March) and an optional second exam in May.
• In the second exam you can improve up to 3 subjects from Science, Maths, Social Science and languages. The better score counts.
• If you miss 3 or more subjects in the main exam, you cannot take the second exam. Students with a compartment take the second exam instead; there is no separate supplementary exam.
• In 2026, 5.14 lakh students tried to improve and about 60% did.

Official sources

• CBSE press release: two Class 10 board exams (PDF)
• CBSE notification on two board exams, Feb 2026 (PDF)
• CBSE: 2026 second-exam results press release (PDF)

What's new

Maths and Science: two levels

• Students in Class 9 from 2026-27 (board exam in 2028): everyone studies the same Maths and Science. You can also take an optional Advanced paper (25 marks, 1 hour) in either or both.
• Advanced marks are not added to your total; if you score 50% or more, your marksheet shows you cleared the Advanced level.
• Students in Class 10 now (2027 boards) still choose Maths Basic or Standard. Basic Maths no longer stops you from taking Maths in Class 11.

Official sources

• CBSE Secondary Curriculum 2026-27 (PDF)

What's new

Third language from Class 9

• Students entering Class 9 in 2026-27 must also study a third language (at least two of the three Indian).
• It is marked by the school, not in the board exam, but you must pass it to get the Class 10 pass certificate.
• Current Class 10 students are not affected.

How board exams work

Subjects, marks and passing

Inside this branch

• Subjects and marks
• Passing and failing
• Registration and fees

How board exams work

Subjects and marks

• Five main subjects: two languages, Maths, Science and Social Science, plus usually a skill subject.
• Each main subject is 80 marks written + 20 marks internal (periodic tests, activities, portfolio, subject enrichment).
• About half the questions are competency-based: case studies, sources, data and real-life application, not just recall.

Official sources

• CBSE Secondary Curriculum 2026-27 (PDF)

How board exams work

Passing and failing

• You need 33% to pass each subject (check the exact internal/external rule with your school).
• If you fail Maths, Science or Social Science but pass your extra skill subject, the skill subject can replace it in the result (you must pass the languages).
• If you fail one or two subjects, you can clear them in the May second exam.

How board exams work

Registration and fees

• Your school registers you with CBSE in Class 9 and submits your board exam form in Class 10.
• 2027 Class 10 exam fee in India: ₹1,600 for 5 subjects, ₹320 per extra subject. Visually impaired students pay no fee.
• The APAAR student ID is optional for the board form.

Official sources

• CBSE 2026-27 LOC circular: fees and registration (PDF)

Study plan

Class 9 first, then Class 10

Inside this branch

• Class 9: build the base
• Class 10: plan the year
• Free video lessons
• Free apps and courses

Study plan

Class 9: build the base

• New books for Class 9 in 2026-27: Ganita Manjari (Maths), Exploration (Science), Understanding Society: India and Beyond (one Social Science book instead of four), Kaveri (English) and Ganga (Hindi). Old Class 9 guides and books no longer match.
• Many Class 10 topics build directly on Class 9 (algebra, geometry, motion, atoms, cells). Do not treat Class 9 as a "free" year.
• Read every NCERT chapter and do all in-text and exercise questions.

Learn from these

• BookFree
  Class 9 Maths: Ganita Manjari, Part I (new 2026-27)Replaces the old Class 9 Mathematics book.
• BookFree
  Class 9 Maths: Ganita Manjari, Part IISecond half of the new maths book (uploaded Sep 2026).
• BookFree
  Class 9 Science: Exploration (new)New 2026-27 science book.
• BookFree
  Class 9 Social Science: Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Part I (new)One new book replaces the four old ones.
• BookFree
  Class 9 English: Kaveri (new)New English reader.
• BookFree
  Class 9 Hindi: Ganga (new)New Hindi textbook.
• BookFree
  Hindi medium Maths: Ganita ManjariHindi version of the new maths book.
• BookFree
  Hindi medium Science: AnveshanHindi version of Exploration.

Study plan

Class 10: plan the year

• April–September: finish the syllabus with NCERT, one chapter at a time, with short notes.
• October–December: revise and solve the official sample papers chapter by chapter.
• January–February: full timed papers under exam conditions; fix weak topics; sleep well.
• This is general advice, not an official rule.

Learn from these

• BookFree
  Class 10 MathematicsUnchanged for 2026-27.
• BookFree
  Class 10 ScienceUnchanged for 2026-27.
• BookFree
  Class 10 Geography: Contemporary India IISocial Science book 1 of 4.
• BookFree
  Class 10 Economics: Understanding Economic DevelopmentSocial Science book 2 of 4.
• BookFree
  Class 10 History: India and the Contemporary World IISocial Science book 3 of 4.
• BookFree
  Class 10 Political Science: Democratic Politics IISocial Science book 4 of 4.
• BookFree
  Class 10 English: First FlightSupplementary reader 'Footprints without Feet': code jefp1.
• BookFree
  Class 10 Hindi medium Maths (Ganit)Hindi medium Science (Vigyan): code jhsc1.

Study plan

Free video lessons

• Use videos only for topics you did not understand from the book.

Learn from these

• VideoFree
  Physics Wallah Foundation (YouTube)Class 9–10 lessons in Hindi-English.
• VideoFree
  Magnet Brains (YouTube)Full NCERT chapter playlists.
• VideoFree
  Magnet Brains Hindi Medium (YouTube)For UP, Bihar, MP and Rajasthan boards.
• VideoFree
  ExpHub: Prashant Kirad (YouTube)Class 9–10 science and strategy (the real channel; avoid look-alikes).
• VideoFree
  Shobhit Nirwan (YouTube)Class 10 revision marathons. Class 9 channel: @ShobhitNirwan-9th.
• VideoFree
  Dear Sir (YouTube)Maths and English basics in simple Hindi.
• VideoFree
  Khan Academy India English (YouTube)Calm concept videos, no upselling.
• VideoFree
  NCERT Official (YouTube)NCERT's own channel.

Study plan

Free apps and courses

• DIKSHA lessons open from the QR code in your NCERT book; Khan Academy has free practice.

Learn from these

• AppFree
  DIKSHA (official NCERT app)Scan textbook QR codes for chapter videos.
• AppFree
  ePathshala (official NCERT e-books)Read NCERT books offline.
• CourseFree
  Khan Academy: Class 9 Maths (NCERT)Free practice. Hindi version available.
• CourseFree
  Khan Academy: Class 10 Maths (NCERT)Free practice. Hindi version available.
• CourseFree
  Khan Academy: Class 10 PhysicsChemistry and Biology courses are on the same site.
• CourseFree
  Khan Academy: Class 9 maths foundation (fill gaps)Revises earlier topics you need now.

Practise like the real exam

Official papers and marking schemes

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  CBSE Class 10 sample papers and marking schemes 2026-27Every subject; Hindi versions for Maths and Science.
• OfficialFree
  CBSE previous years' board papers (2022–2026)Official papers, including 2026 main and compartment.
• PracticeFree
  CBSE question bank: Class 10Official question bank (English, Maths, Science).
• OfficialFree
  CBSE sample paper archive (older years)More official papers for practice.
• PracticeFree
  NCERT Exemplar problems with solutionsHarder NCERT practice questions.
• OfficialFree
  UP Board model papers (Hindi medium)Official UP Board Class 10 model papers.
• OfficialFree
  UP Board question bankOfficial UP Board question bank.

Inside this branch

• Sample papers and marking schemes
• How to use them

Practise like the real exam

Sample papers and marking schemes

• CBSE publishes official sample papers with marking schemes every September. They show the exact pattern and how answers are marked.
• Study the marking scheme: it shows which steps and key words earn marks.

Official sources

• CBSE Class 10 sample papers and marking schemes 2026-27

Practise like the real exam

How to use them

• Solve each paper in 3 hours without notes, then check with the marking scheme like an examiner.
• Keep an error notebook: every wrong answer, why, and the correct method.

Scholarships

Money to continue studying

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  National Scholarship PortalNMMSS renewals and pre-matric scholarships.
• OfficialFree
  Pre-matric scholarship for SC students (Class 9–10)Family income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
• OfficialFree
  PM YASASVI guidelines (PDF)OBC, EBC and DNT scholarships.
• OfficialFree
  Ministry of Tribal Affairs: scholarshipsST pre-matric and post-matric scholarships.

Inside this branch

• NMMSS: keep it going
• Pre-matric scholarships (Class 9–10)
• For girls, after Class 10

Scholarships

NMMSS: keep it going

• If you won the NMMSS scholarship in Class 8, you get ₹12,000 a year till Class 12.
• To keep it: pass Class 9 at the first attempt and score 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST). Renew every year on the National Scholarship Portal.

Official sources

• PIB: NMMSS scholarship 2026

Scholarships

Pre-matric scholarships (Class 9–10)

• SC and ST students: pre-matric scholarships for Class 9–10 (family income up to ₹2.5 lakh).
• OBC, EBC, DNT: PM YASASVI, ₹4,000 a year for Class 9–10 in government schools (income up to ₹2.5 lakh).
• Minority students: pre-matric scholarship for Class 9–10 continues.
• Apply on the National Scholarship Portal; most deadlines fall in September–October.

Official sources

• National Scholarship Portal
• PIB: PM YASASVI scholarships
• ST pre-matric scholarship guidelines (PDF)

Scholarships

For girls, after Class 10

• The CBSE Single Girl Child scholarship is for girls who have passed Class 10 (with 60%+) and study in Class 11–12. Plan for it now.

Official sources

• CBSE scholarships (Single Girl Child)

Competitions and programmes

Stretch yourself

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  Science Olympiad 2026-27 schedule (HBCSE)Official olympiad programme.
• PracticeFree
  Official olympiad past papers (HBCSE)Practise with real past papers.
• OfficialFree
  INSPIRE-MANAKIdea awards for Class 6–12, through your school.
• OfficialFree
  Vigyan Jyoti (girls in science)For girls in Class 9–12.
• OfficialFree
  Pariksha Pe Charcha (MyGov)Free entry for Class 6–12.
• OfficialPaid
  NSEJS: Junior Science Olympiad (IAPT)Small enrolment fee through your school or a centre.
• OfficialPaid
  IOQM maths olympiadSmall fee (₹180–300).

Inside this branch

• Olympiads
• Vigyan Jyoti (girls)
• INSPIRE-MANAK and more

Competitions and programmes

Olympiads

• IOQM (maths, Class 8–12): enrol in June–July, exam in September.
• NSEJS (junior science, Class 10 and below): enrol in August–September; the 2026 exam is on 22 November.
• These lead to the international olympiads. Private "olympiads" sold through schools are paid and optional.
• NTSE is paused; it has not been held since 2021.

Official sources

• IOQM maths olympiad
• Olympiad programme (HBCSE)

Competitions and programmes

Vigyan Jyoti (girls)

• For meritorious girls in Class 9–12, through Navodaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya and nearby government schools: science camps, mentoring and visits to IITs and IISERs.

Official sources

• Vigyan Jyoti (girls in science)

Competitions and programmes

INSPIRE-MANAK and more

• INSPIRE-MANAK: original science ideas from Class 6–12; ₹10,000 award to build a model.
• Kala Utsav (arts, Class 9–12), NCC and Atal Tinkering Labs if your school has them.
• Pariksha Pe Charcha: the Prime Minister's yearly talk on exams; register on MyGov in December–January.

Official sources

• INSPIRE-MANAK

Choose what's next

After Class 10

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  Tamanna: free NCERT aptitude testTake it in Class 9 or 10 before choosing a stream.
• OfficialFree
  Directorate General of Training (ITI)ITI trades; admission through your state's ITI portal.
• OfficialFree
  National Career ServiceCareer information and free counselling.
• OfficialPaid
  NIOS online admissionOpen schooling; lower fee for girls.

Inside this branch

• Your options
• Decide in Class 10, not after results

Choose what's next

Your options

• Class 11 stream (Science, Commerce, Humanities, or a mix): see the "Which stream after Class 10?" roadmap.
• ITI (1–2 years, job-ready trades), polytechnic diploma (3 years, then B.Tech second year), or NIOS (flexible open schooling).

Choose what's next

Decide in Class 10, not after results

• Take the free NCERT Tamanna aptitude test in Class 9 or 10, talk to teachers and seniors, and check which entrance exams need which subjects.
• Your Class 10 marks affect some admissions and scholarships, so aim for your best.

Exam stress and health

You are more than your marks

Learn from these

• AppFree
  Tele MANAS (call 14416)Free 24x7 mental-health support from the Health Ministry.
• ArticleFree
  How to deal with exam anxiety (UNICEF India)Practical tips for students and parents.
• OfficialFree
  CBSE free counselling (press release, PDF)Helpline 1800-11-8004.
• VideoFree
  Pariksha Pe Charcha videos (PMO India)The PM's yearly talk with students on exam stress.

Inside this branch

• Handle the pressure
• For parents

Exam stress and health

Handle the pressure

• Some stress is normal. Break the syllabus into small daily targets and tick them off.
• Sleep properly, especially before exams; staying up all night usually lowers marks.
• Talk to someone. Free help: CBSE helpline 1800-11-8004 (24×7 recorded help; counsellors on weekdays in exam season) and Tele-MANAS 14416 (24×7).

Official sources

• CBSE counselling helpline (press release, PDF)

Exam stress and health

For parents

• Ask "what did you learn today?" more than "how many marks?". Do not compare with other children.
• Make sure your child eats, sleeps and gets some exercise during exam months.

State boards and NIOS

If you are not in CBSE

Inside this branch

• State boards differ
• NIOS (open school)

State boards and NIOS

State boards differ

• Each state board sets its own exam pattern and dates. Some also give a second chance: e.g. Karnataka holds a second SSLC exam in May, and Madhya Pradesh holds a second exam in place of the supplementary.
• Check your board's official website for the pattern, sample papers and dates.

State boards and NIOS

NIOS (open school)

• Class 10 through the National Institute of Open Schooling: you need to have passed Class 8 and be at least 14.
• Pass 5 subjects; admission is valid for 5 years with up to 9 exam chances, and On-Demand Exams let you take papers at almost any time.
• Good for students who work, have health issues, or had to leave school.

Official sources

• NIOS online admission portal