The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to discontinue the option for private candidates to take up additional subjects from the 2026 board exams. This decision marks an important shift that will directly affect students who relied on this pathway to broaden career opportunities after completing Class 10 or Class 12.
What Was the Additional Subject Option?
Until now, private students who had already passed Class 12 could register for an additional subject within two years. This system offered a lifeline for those who wanted to switch career paths. For example, a student who had cleared Class 12 with Biology could later take Mathematics and attempt engineering entrance exams like JEE.
The same benefit extended to Class 10 students as well. They were allowed to opt for up to two additional subjects, provided those subjects included project work instead of practical exams. For Class 12 students, only one extra subject was permitted.
How Many Students Used This Facility?
The additional subject option was widely used by students in both Class 10 and Class 12. In the 2025 exams, CBSE data shows that:
- 2,768 students in Class 12 registered for additional subjects, with 2,161 (78%) actually appearing.
- For Class 10, 375 students registered, and 311 appeared for the exams.
In comparison, the numbers were slightly lower in 2024. That year, 2,225 Class 12 students registered (1,657 appeared), while 330 Class 10 students registered (267 appeared).
These numbers highlight that while not every student opted for this path, it remained a valuable choice for those aiming to reshape their academic journey.
Why Did CBSE Discontinue It?
According to CBSE officials, the main challenge lies in providing internal assessment marks for private students. Since classroom interaction, projects, and continuous evaluations are integral to the schooling process, replicating these assessments outside a formal school environment is not feasible.
The board clarified that its role extends beyond conducting examinations—it emphasizes the holistic school experience. As private candidates taking additional subjects cannot engage in classroom activities or internal assessments, CBSE has decided to remove this provision completely starting in 2026.
However, many students feel this change has come too abruptly. They believe advance notice should have been given for a smoother transition, as the option once served as a second chance for students reconsidering their career directions.
