Parents of CBSE students in the UAE have been urged to take note of major new rules for the 2025–26 board exams, including stricter attendance requirements, new assessment patterns, and updated subject choices that will directly affect their children’s academic journey.
Dubai:The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled significant updates for students in Classes 10 and 12 for the 2025-26 examinations that affect attendance, assessment patterns, registration, subject choices, and evaluation. These changes aim to align with newer education policies, emphasize continuous assessment, skill development, and reduce reliance on rote learning. Here’s a detailed guide for students in the UAE and their families.
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One of the biggest changes is that students must now maintain at least 75% attendance to be eligible for board exam results. This applies to both Class 10 and 12 students. Attendance will be directly linked to internal assessment scores.
Students who fall short may face being placed in an “Essential Repeat,” which could mean repeating the academic year or reappearing for internal assessments. Schools are being instructed to ensure tracking systems are robust to monitor student attendance throughout the two-year period.
The new rules introduce a two-year structure for both Classes 10 and 12.
This change seeks to reduce pressure on students in a single year by distributing the workload and learning over two years.
Students in Classes 9 and 11 are required to register via the Pariksha Sangam portal for eligibility to take the board exams in Classes 10 and 12, respectively.
Key points:
Accuracy of data is stressed; incorrect or duplicate registrations may lead to serious consequences, including loss of eligibility.
For Class 10, CBSE is introducing two board exams per year starting 2026 — one in February and another in April. Students will be able to take both exams, with the better score counting towards their final result.
Assessment breakdown:
The shift aims to balance high-stakes exams with ongoing evaluation to reduce anxiety and reward consistent performance.
The CBSE is shifting from a previous five-tier grading system to a nine-point grading scale. Under this model:
To pass a subject, students must achieve a minimum of 33% marks in each subject. This is unchanged but reinforced under the new scheme.
Recognizing the need for more practical and future-oriented learning, the CBSE has introduced skill-based electives in Class 12. Students will be able to choose one elective from these new options:
These electives are designed especially for students in technical streams (e.g. Informatics Practices, Computer Science, IT), giving them additional skills beyond purely academic knowledge.
To enhance transparency and fairness:
Parents and students should check with their respective schools for dates specific to their curriculum and exam centres.
For Indian expatriate families in Dubai, these reforms come with both challenges and opportunities:
Parents are advised to stay closely involved: monitor attendance, assist in meeting registration deadlines, help students plan their subject choices and electives carefully.
The CBSE’s new rules for 2025-26 represent a major shift toward continuous evaluation, skill-oriented education, and flexibility. With the introduction of dual exams for Class 10, newer grading scales, stronger attendance linking, and subject/elective reforms, students have more pathways to succeed—though this comes with increased responsibility for consistency, choice, and preparation over a longer time span. For Dubai’s Indian community, the APAAR exemption and clearer registration process offer welcome relief, while the broader reforms aim to make learning more meaningful, balanced, and forward-looking.
