The CBSE class 10 exams are a major milestone in a student's life and help in shaping their future careers. The CBSE class 10 result 2025 is still awaited, and no official statement has been released regarding the date of CBSE class 10 results. Amidst this date tension, a major worry among the students is passing the CBSE class 10 exams, and surrounding the result is a debatable policy - Grace Marks policy. To secure the future of those students who miss passing in a subject or two with a narrow margin, the Central Board of Secondary Education offers grace marks to the students.
This article aims to provide detailed information on the CBSE 10th grace marks policy 2025 and will cover information like what is the grace marks policy, why is it awarded to the students, is it fair, and more.
What is the CBSE 10th Grace Marks Policy? - An understanding
The grace marks policy is an official provision under the CBSE class 10 marking scheme under which the students are awarded certain extra marks to help them pass the exam. The grace marks are awarded only to those students who fail in one or two subjects with a very narrow margin, and the intent is to help them secure and achieve the minimum passing marks range.
The board has a 33% minimum marks criteria including both theory and practical exams, to be considered ‘Pass’ in the exam and upto 8 marks can be offered as the grace marks. However, the grace marks to be awarded is dependent on the board's decision and can slightly vary depending on the situation.
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Why does CBSE offer grace marks?
A common question revolving around this policy is ‘why are grace marks awarded?’ The answer is pretty simple. CBSE believes that there can be several reasons to failing an exam by such a narrow margin and can happen due to illness, or any unforeseen circumstances. Thus, to avoid hampering the students' future based on just a few marks, CBSE offers them grace marks.
A minor gap in marks should not completely derail a student’s academic progress. The policy ensures that students who have shown consistent effort throughout the year and come close to the pass mark are not penalized harshly for a marginal shortfall.
Moreover, the grace marks policy helps reduce the number of students who must appear for compartment exams, easing the logistical burden on both students and the board.
CBSE result 2025 class 10th - Direct link and official websites
How are CBSE class10 grace marks awarded?
There is no fixed number published to be awarded as grace marks and the policy is adjusted based on various factors like the overall performance of the students, difficulty level of the paper, and other academic considerations. As per past trends in the grace marks policy, the following has been observed:
- A maximum of up to 8 marks in total across subjects.
- Grace marks are only awarded if, after awarding them, the student is able to pass.
- These marks are not shown separately in the mark sheet. The final result only reflects the adjusted score.
- Grace marks are not typically given in more than two subjects unless under exceptional circumstances.
Also see - How to download CBSE 10th marksheet 2025 PDF?
Is the CBSE 10th grace marks 2025 policy fair?
The fairness of the CBSE 10th grace marks policy is often debated and has sparked various conflicts over the years. While some students feel it is not at all fair to award the grace marks as it questions their hard-work put in throughout the year, while some believe that the policy is fair as it saves the future of students who missed the passing mark by just a narrow margin. CBSE in this regard says that the grace marks are awarded only in borderline cases and prevent such students from the emotional toll of failure.
Critics however have a different view on this policy. They argue that regular reliance on grace marks may eventually lead to erosion in the perceived credibility of board results. However, CBSE has been careful to balance leniency with strict academic norms to ensure that grace marks do not become a loophole for underperformance.
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Recent Trends and Reforms
In recent years, CBSE has also introduced competency-based questions and focused more on internal assessments to promote holistic learning. This shift emphasizes the importance of year-round performance rather than just final exams, reducing the dependency on last-minute grace marks.
Furthermore, CBSE has streamlined its evaluation process and teacher training programs to ensure fair and consistent marking. These steps, combined with the grace marks policy, create a more student-friendly and balanced assessment framework.
