CBSE · 2026–27
CBSE syllabus 2026–27: what changed, class by class
Class 9 has a new scheme, Class 10 has two board exams, and papers ask more questions that use an idea than repeat it. Here is each change from CBSE's and NCERT's own documents.
CBSE released its 2026–27 curriculum on 1 April 2026 for Classes 11 and 12 and on 2 April for Classes 9 and 10. The reason it gave is the headline of the year: CBSE is implementing the scheme of studies of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 in Class 9 from this session. It asked schools to hold special parent-teacher meetings to explain the changes.
Not every class changes. Class 10 stays on its existing scheme for the 2027 board exam, and Classes 10 and 11 keep their existing NCERT books this year. Below is what changed, what did not, and how the papers ask questions, so you can find your child's year quickly.
CBSE 2026–27 at a glance
- Session
- 2026–27
- Class 10 board exams
- First exam in February–March 2027, compulsory; a second in May, optional
- Class 12 board exam
- One main examination in 2027
- Official curriculum
- Curriculum 2026–27 on cbseacademic.nic.in
- 2027 date sheet
- Not yet published
Checked on 2 October 2026 against CBSE's and NCERT's own documents.
What changed in 2026–27
Each line below comes from a CBSE or NCERT document. Where a change waits for a later session, we say so.
Class 9 follows a new scheme of studies: two languages plus a third (R3), Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Individuals in Society, Art Education, Physical Education and Well-being, Vocational Education, an optional subject, and Computational Thinking and AI as modules.
Mathematics and Science each add an optional Advanced paper in Class 9: 25 marks, one hour, all higher-order questions. A score of 50% or more is noted on the marksheet but not added to the total.
A third language is compulsory in Class 6 and Class 9 from this session, and at least two of the three languages must be native to India. R3 is assessed in school, with no board exam in it.
Class 10 in 2026–27 stays on two languages and the existing scheme, and these students may still choose Mathematics Basic.
Schools are directed to introduce Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence in Classes 3 to 8, within existing subject periods and through activities.
New NCERT books are in use for Grades 1 to 8 and arrive for Grade 9 this session. Grades 10 and 11 keep their existing books in 2026–27; new ones follow from 2027–28.
By 1 May 2026 every new Grade 9 book was released except Social Science. NCERT later warned of a fake copy of the Class 9 Social Science book: buy or download only from official channels.
Class 10 has two board exams for 2027. Both cover the full syllabus; the second lets a student improve up to three of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages, and the better score counts.
Classes 11 and 12 have no official streams: a student takes five subjects, with an optional sixth, within rules such as not combining Mathematics with Applied Mathematics.
How board papers ask questions
CBSE's 2026–27 curriculum says board papers are designed to assess application, analysis and evaluation, and that about 50% of the questions are competency-focused: case-based, source-based, data and application questions. The rest are multiple-choice and short or long answers. CBSE's notice on the 2026–27 sample papers confirms there is no change in the question paper design this session.
Each subject also sets out its paper by kind of thinking, using the names of Bloom's Taxonomy. In Class 10 Mathematics (Standard), about 46% of the marks are for applying, analysing, evaluating and creating rather than remembering and understanding. In Physics for Classes 11 and 12, it is 62% of the theory marks. The two charts below show the official splits.
Class 10 Mathematics (Standard), 2026–27
Share of the 80-mark paper by kind of thinking.
- Remembering and understanding54%
- Applying24%
- Analysing, evaluating and creating22%
Source: CBSE Mathematics, Class 10, 2026–27: Question Paper Design
Physics, Classes 11 and 12, 2026–27
Share of the 70 theory marks by kind of thinking. CBSE calls this template a sample.
- Remembering and understanding38%
- Applying32%
- Analysing, evaluating and creating30%
Source: CBSE Physics, Classes 11–12, 2026–27: Question Paper Design
One topic, six kinds of question a simple circuit
Here is one Class 10 Science idea, current in a circuit, asked at each step. The questions are our own, not CBSE's.
Remember
State Ohm's law.
Understand
Explain why a thicker wire of the same metal and length has less resistance.
Apply
A 12 V battery is connected across a 4 Ω resistor. Find the current.
Analyse
Two identical bulbs glow brighter in parallel than in series across the same battery. Explain why, using current and voltage.
Evaluate
Should the lights and fans in a house be wired in series or in parallel? Justify your answer with two reasons.
Create
Design a circuit for a study lamp with a dimmer, and draw its diagram.
How SelfEnabler practises this
SelfEnabler checks every topic on the same steps CBSE's papers use, starting with remembering and climbing only as high as your child can genuinely reach. You see which kinds of question your child is ready for, topic by topic, long before the board exam.
Notes are built from your child's own mistakes, and AI Guru explains a topic again from the approved lesson material whenever your child asks. When a topic is "not yet", a person steps in to help.
See how a lesson works
Questions parents ask about CBSE 2026–27
Will the CBSE syllabus change in 2026–27?
For Class 9, yes: a new scheme of studies under NCF 2023, with new NCERT books, a third language and optional Advanced papers. Class 10 stays on its existing scheme for the 2027 board exam. The full 2026–27 curriculum is on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Will NCERT books change in 2026–27?
New books arrive for Grade 9. NCERT says the existing books for Grades 10 and 11 continue in 2026–27, with new ones from 2027–28. Grades 1 to 8 already have new books.
Are there two board exams for Class 10 in 2026–27?
Yes. The first, in February and March 2027, is compulsory for every student. The second, in May, is optional and lets a student improve up to three of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages. The better score counts.
Is there a second board exam for Class 12?
No. The two-exam policy is for Class 10 only. Class 12 has one main examination in 2027.
Is the CBSE 2026–27 syllabus released?
Yes. CBSE released it on 1 April 2026 for Classes 11 and 12 and on 2 April 2026 for Classes 9 and 10.
Does Class 8 have a board exam?
No. CBSE's board examinations are in Class 10 and Class 12. Class 8 exams are held by the school.
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CBSE, class by class
CBSE Class 6
Start of the middle stage: a third language becomes compulsory, and CT & AI enters ordinary lessons.
CBSE Class 7
Consolidation: the new NCERT books go deeper; the third language becomes compulsory in Class 7 from 2027–28.
CBSE Class 8
Last year of the middle stage: firm up the ideas the new Class 9 scheme builds on.
CBSE Class 9
The biggest change: CBSE's new NCF-2023 scheme, new NCERT books and optional Advanced papers.
CBSE Class 10
Board year: existing scheme and books, Maths Basic or Standard, a compulsory first exam and an optional second.
CBSE Class 11
Subject choice: no official streams, five subjects plus an optional sixth, kept into Class 12.
CBSE Class 12
Board year with entrance exams: one main exam in 2027 and an unchanged paper design.