Finance
In a significant relief for Class IX students scheduled to take board exams in 2028, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has updated the Scheme of Studies and specified that three subjects—Individuals in Society, Modules on Computational Thinking (CT) and AI, and Environmental Education—will be excluded from their curriculum.
Officials state that these subjects, implemented after the current academic session, caused confusion for students and placed a burden on them to learn nine to ten subjects. Following CBSE’s clarification, students can now concentrate on five subjects for the board exams while learning the additional subjects without the pressure of achieving specific marks.
According to the plan, the five mandatory subjects for the board exam will include two languages, mathematics, science, and social studies. The students will take nine mandatory subjects, which comprise a third language, art education, physical education and wellness, and vocational training.
“To align the introduction of this curricular area with the implementation schedule, the subject ‘Individuals in Society’ and the ‘Modules of CT & AI’ in Class IX (2026-27) and the subject ‘Environmental Education’ in Class X (2027-28) shall not be part of the curriculum for these batches,” said a CBSE circular issued to all the principals and heads of affiliated schools.
The changes will apply to students studying in Class IX in 2026-27 and progressing to Class X in 2027-28. The existing scheme will continue for students in Class X in 2026-27.
“Vocational Education shall continue to be a compulsory curricular area for students of Class IX (2026–27) progressing to Class X (2027–28). To fulfil this requirement, students may opt for either the subject Kaushal Vikas, or any one of the 22 Skill Subjects notified by the Board…,” read the circular.
Source: IE
