New Delhi – The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a significant change in its examination rules, barring private students from opting for additional subjects in the Class 10 and 12 board exams. The decision, which will apply from the 2026 examinations, has triggered concern among students preparing for competitive tests like JEE and NEET.
Until now, students who had already cleared Class 10 or 12 could reappear as private candidates within two years to take additional subjects. Many used this route to align their academic qualifications with career requirements, particularly in engineering and medical fields. However, the CBSE’s latest notification has withdrawn this option, leaving students restricted to subjects they had originally chosen in their qualifying class.
Students say the move has come at a critical time, when many had already begun preparations. They fear it will limit their career options. For instance, a student from Kirti Nagar, who completed her Class 12 in 2014 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, said she had planned to take Mathematics as an additional subject to qualify for JEE. Similarly, aspirants from Mayur Vihar expressed concern that the rule change will make it difficult to meet subject-specific criteria for entrance exams.
The issue is not limited to science subjects. Students preparing for humanities and commerce streams, such as history, geography, accounts, and business studies, may also face hurdles. Following backlash, CBSE clarified in a public notice that students can still opt for two additional subjects in Class 10 and one in Class 12, but only if they pursue them over two years. Moreover, schools without approval, qualified teachers, or lab facilities will not be allowed to offer additional subjects.
Despite the clarification, students argue the restrictions will have wide implications. With the deadline for private applications set for September 30, many have appealed to CBSE to restore the earlier flexibility, calling the timing of the decision unfair to those already preparing for the 2026 exams.
