The reforms follow the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. The new system will apply to students entering Class 9 in the 2026-27 academic year, with the first batch appearing for the new Class 10 board exams in 2028.

Three-language system introduced

Under the new curriculum, language subjects will be organised into three levels, R1, R2 and R3, as part of a structured three-language model. R1 will be the student's main language studied at an advanced level, while R2 will be a different language studied at a lower level. R3 will become a compulsory subject from Class 6 in the 2026-27 academic session and will be extended to Class 10 by 2030-31.

During the transition period, students must study and pass a third language as part of their secondary education. The same language cannot be chosen for both R1 and R2. Even if similar textbooks are used at the start, the syllabus and assessments will be different, which means separate question papers and different levels of difficulty.

"As per the recommendations of NCF-SE-2023, two out of these three languages must be languages native to India," the curriculum document states.

CBSE has listed 44 languages, covering all Scheduled languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. Major languages include Hindi, English, French, Nepali, German, Russian, Santhali, Maithili, Dogri and Konkani.

New Class 10 language exam schedule

Students currently in Class 9 will have to appear in at least two language subjects in the 2028 Class 10 board examinations. The 2027 board exams will be the last to follow the current language textbooks and system.

"Currently all the language subjects are treated at the same level so we have a very complicated datesheet and 2027 board exams will be the last board exams as per the current language textbooks. 2028 will be the first year where we will have two languages compulsorily - one at R1 level and other at R2 level. The datesheet for board exams of Class 10 exam in 2028 will be made accordingly and exam of language subjects will be held for two days - one day for R1 and second day for R2 and 2031 onwards will be held for three days - one day for R1 level, second day for R2 level and third day for R3 level," CBSE chairperson Rahul Singh said during a webinar on the new scheme of study.

Singh added that the 2027 Class 10 board exams will follow the same rules and curriculum as the 2026 exams.

Mathematics and Science get two-level system

Mathematics and Science will see a major structural change from the 2026-27 academic session. All students will study the standard curriculum and take a three-hour, 80-mark examination, while those who want deeper learning can choose an additional advanced paper in either or both subjects. This advanced paper will be a separate one-hour, 25-mark exam designed to test higher-order thinking skills and deeper conceptual understanding.

The advanced paper will be optional and its marks will not be added to the total aggregate. However, students scoring 50 per cent or more will have the advanced qualification mentioned separately on their marksheet. The 20-mark internal assessment will remain unchanged. The new system replaces the current basic and standard Mathematics model and aims to provide more flexibility while encouraging conceptual learning. The first Class 10 board exams under this system will be held in 2028.

Social Science to focus on analytical learning

Social Science will be updated with new textbooks and a stronger focus on competency-based and analytical learning in line with NCF-SE 2023. The subject will continue to cover History, Geography, Political Science and Economics, but will place greater emphasis on inquiry, case studies, map work, data analysis and real-life applications to improve critical thinking and civic understanding.

The exam structure will remain unchanged, with an 80-mark board exam and 20 marks for internal assessment, while the focus shifts towards application and reasoning.

AI and vocational subjects to be introduced

Along with core subjects, CBSE will introduce new curricular areas such as Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Vocational Education, Physical Education and Well-being, and Interdisciplinary Studies. CT and AI will be introduced in phases and will become compulsory in board examinations from 2029.

Vocational Education, Physical Education, Art Education and Interdisciplinary Studies will be assessed internally by schools through practical and competency-based methods, with emphasis on civic understanding, sustainability and real-world learning.

"These are meaningful subjects… we will prepare rubrics for internal assessment… it shouldn't degenerate into a marks-handing exercise," Singh said.

The new assessment model will be followed for the 2028 to 2030 board examinations. From 2031 onwards, further changes will be introduced, including compulsory third-language testing in Class 10 board exams.