NEW DELHI: CBSE's 29 October 2026 circular lists nine subjects for students in Class 9 during 2026-27 and explains a vocational education choice that affects their Class 10 assessment in 2027-28. Vocational education is compulsory, but students can fulfil it through Kaushal Vikas or one of the board's 22 listed skill subjects.
The difference matters: Kaushal Vikas is assessed by the school, while a student choosing one of the 22 skill subjects must take a board examination in that subject in Class 10. Families need to distinguish the compulsory curricular area from the particular subject selected within it.
| Question | What the circular says |
|---|---|
| Relevant cohort | Class 9 in 2026-27, progressing to Class 10 in 2027-28 |
| Required subjects | Nine |
| Vocational choice | Kaushal Vikas or one of 22 listed skill subjects |
| Current Class 10 in 2026-27 | Old scheme continues |
CBSE Class 9 subjects list for 2026-27
The FAQ attached to circular Acad-70/2026 lists Language R1, Language R2, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Language R3, Art Education, Physical Education and Well-being, and Vocational Education. Together, those make up the nine subjects specified for the cohort.
That count should not be read as a promise of nine written board examination papers. The circular's tables distinguish subjects studied from the way they are assessed. Class 9 assessment is school based; the table for the following Class 10 year separates board examination subjects from subjects assessed internally.
The document also allows an optional subject from its list and separately identifies optional Mathematics Advanced and Science Advanced. A language taken as the optional subject must differ from the languages already chosen as R1, R2 and R3. Students should read their actual subject combination rather than using the number nine as a shorthand for every possible timetable.
Kaushal Vikas or a skill subject: what changes?
Kaushal Vikas fulfils the compulsory vocational curricular requirement through school-based internal assessment. The FAQ says the school will issue its certificate to students obtaining at least 33% in that assessment, and will award marks with the corresponding grades.
Choosing one of the 22 skill subjects creates a different assessment route in Class 10 in 2027-28: the student must appear for that subject's board examination. The circular says the marks and grades will appear in the board-issued marksheet, with an NSQF certificate also awarded for successfully passing the offered skill subject.
For example, a family comparing Kaushal Vikas with Agriculture or Food Production should ask how the school will teach the selected subject and how its assessment will be recorded. The circular identifies both as ways to meet the vocational requirement, but it does not give them identical examination arrangements. That distinction should be understood before a subject choice is treated as final.
Does a vocational subject replace a failed core subject?
The FAQ describes a specific replacement provision for a student who takes one of the 22 skill subjects, passes it and scores below 33% in one of Science, Mathematics or Social Science. In that situation, the skill subject replaces the affected subject for computing the Class 10 result under the stated rule.
The same FAQ explicitly says this replacement provision is unavailable when Kaushal Vikas is selected. A school-assessed vocational subject and a board-examined skill subject therefore have another consequential difference. Neither should be described simply as an interchangeable extra subject without checking the rule.
Which batch does the 29 October notice cover?
The circular applies to the present Class 9 cohort as it moves into Class 10 in 2027-28. Its FAQ says the old scheme continues for students already in Class 10 during 2026-27. A parent with children in both classes may consequently need two separate explanations from the school.
For the specified cohort, the circular also excludes Individuals in Society and the designated CT and AI modules from Class 9, and Environmental Education from Class 10. These are curriculum statements for the named batches. They should not be expanded into claims that those areas have been removed permanently for every student.
To verify the notice, use the CBSE Academic circular list, select Acad-70/2026 and read the attached tables and FAQs as well as the opening letter. For related administration questions, see the LOC parents' guide, CBSE attendance rules and CBSE marksheets on DigiLocker.
