CBSE To Implement 2-Tier Difficulty Levels In Science And Social Science From 2026, Aligning With NEP 2020
CBSE to implement 2-tier difficulty levels in Science & Social Science from 2026, aligning with NEP 2020. Students can choose standard or advanced levels, with new NCERT textbooks in development.
In a significant change in the exam format, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to introduce two-tier difficulty levels – standard and advanced – for science and social science subjects in Class 9, starting from the 2026 academic session. This decision was recently approved by CBSE’s Governing Body, its highest decision-making authority. As per the decision, the two-tier system will be implemented in Class 9 from the next academic year, with the first batch of students appearing for their Class 10 Board examination under this system in 2028.
According to sources in the Class 10 Board examination in 2028, the two subjects could either have one question paper with an additional set of questions for the advanced level, or different question papers for the two levels.
Alignment with NEP (New Education Policy 2020)
The decision aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which suggests that “all subjects and corresponding assessments, beginning with Mathematics, could be offered at two levels, with students doing some of their subjects at the standard level and some at a higher level.”
Since the 2019-20 academic year, CBSE has already been offering Mathematics at two levels in Class 10—Standard and Basic Mathematics. While both share the same syllabus, the complexity of questions in the Board examination differs. The same approach will now be extended to science and social science.
Benefit for Entrance Exam Aspirants
Officials believe that offering science at a higher level will benefit students preparing for entrance exams such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
“Currently, because the school curriculum is not considered advanced enough to help students prepare for entrance exams, they end up enrolling in coaching classes,” an official stated. This change could provide an alternative for students to prepare within the school framework itself.
NCERT to Develop New Textbooks
To accommodate the new system, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been tasked with devising new textbooks for science and social science. The new books will include additional sections catering to the advanced level. NCERT is in the process of releasing new textbooks aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. While textbooks for Classes 1 and 2 were released in 2023, and those for Classes 3 and 6 were made available in 2024, books for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8 are set to be released for the 2025-26 session. The new textbooks for Class 9 are expected to be available before the 2026-27 academic session.
Student Choice and Flexibility
Students will be required to choose between the standard and advanced levels for science and social science when they enter Class 9. However, CBSE is also considering giving them the flexibility to switch levels in Class 10. A pilot program is currently being conducted in 30 schools, where students are being internally assessed based on their chosen difficulty level. The pilot is meant to gauge the response to the proposal, a source stated.
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