CBSE Class 9 Scheme of Studies 2026-27: What Changed

CBSE has changed the subject list for students now in Class 9 (2026-27), who will be in Class 10 in 2027-28. "Individuals in Society" and the CT & AI modules are no longer part of their course. Environmental Education will not be part of their Class 10 year. Vocational Education stays compulsory: each student takes either Kaushal Vikas (marked by the school) or one of 22 skill subjects (with a Board exam in Class 10).

This guide explains Circular Acad-70/2026 (29 October 2026), with its tables and FAQ, in plain words. Current Class 10 students are not affected: the old scheme continues for them.

What changed

The circular makes three changes for the Class 9 batch of 2026-27:

1. Interdisciplinary area dropped. "Individuals in Society" and the "Modules of CT & AI" are out of Class 9 (2026-27), and "Environmental Education" is out of Class 10 (2027-28) for this batch.
2. Vocational Education stays compulsory. Students meet it with either Kaushal Vikas or one of 22 skill subjects listed by the Board.
3. Other optional subjects continue. All optional subjects from the 2025-26 scheme are still offered in Class 9 and Class 10.

The nine subjects your child studies

The FAQ lists nine subjects for this batch:

• Language R1
• Language R2
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Science
• Language R3
• Art Education
• Physical Education and Well-being
• Vocational Education (Skill Education)

On top of these, a student may take one optional subject from a list of 57. The list has 45 languages, six music subjects, Painting, Home Science, NCC, Computer Applications, Elements of Business, and Elements of Book Keeping & Accountancy. If the optional subject is a language, it must be different from the student's R1, R2 and R3.

Mathematics Advanced and Science Advanced are also optional.

How each subject is assessed

In Class 9 (2026-27), every subject is assessed by the school, using the rubrics already given in each syllabus. In Class 10 (2027-28), it looks like this:

Kaushal Vikas or a skill subject: the big choice

Kaushal Vikas

• No Board exam in Class 10. The school awards marks and grades.
• The school gives its own certificate to students who score at least 33%.
• It cannot replace a failed main subject.

One of the 22 skill subjects

• Board exam in Class 10. Marks and grades appear on the CBSE marksheet.
• Passing it also earns an NSQF certificate.
• It can act as a safety net. If a student scores below 33% in Science, Mathematics or Social Science but passes the skill subject, the skill subject replaces that subject when the result is worked out.

The 22 skill subjects are: Retail, Information Technology, Security, Automotive, Introduction to Financial Markets, Introduction to Tourism, Beauty & Wellness, Agriculture, Food Production, Front Office Operations, Banking & Insurance, Marketing & Sales, Health Care, Apparel, Multi Media, Multi Skill Foundation Course, Artificial Intelligence, Physical Activity Trainer, Data Science, Electronics and Hardware, Foundation Skills for Sciences (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology), and Design Thinking and Innovation. Your school may offer only some of them. If your child is curious about AI, read our guide to Artificial Intelligence 417.

Passing Class 10 under this scheme

• A student must get at least 33% in each of the five Board subjects: R1, R2, Mathematics, Science and Social Science.
• The 33% is counted on internal assessment and the Board exam together. CBSE's example: 24 out of 80 in the Board paper plus 9 out of 20 internally makes 33 out of 100, which is a pass.
• An optional language works like the skill subject. If a student scores below 33% in R1 or R2 but passes the optional language, it replaces that language.
• Art Education and Physical Education get grades (A1 to E); the school certifies grade D or above.

Children with special needs take one compulsory language with a Board exam and choose the other four Board subjects from a wider list, including up to two skill subjects (not Automotive).

What this means for you

• Your child has one subject fewer this year and next.
• The vocational choice decides whether your child sits a Board exam in it and whether it can act as a backup subject.
• This circular does not change the units or marks in Maths, Science, Social Science or the languages.

What to do next

1. Ask the school which skill subjects it offers, and whether your child has been put down for Kaushal Vikas or a skill subject.
2. Talk it through with your child. A skill subject carries a Board exam in Class 10, so pick one they will enjoy.
3. Keep the main subjects steady. Revise a chapter a week with our free Class 9 Science, Maths, Social Science and English notes.
4. Check marks per unit in our Class 9 syllabus guide. Where that guide talks about Individuals in Society, vocational exams or when Advanced papers happen, this circular is the newer rule.

Quick answers

Does this change anything for current Class 10? No. CBSE says the old scheme continues for Class 10 (2026-27).

Is Individuals in Society still taught in Class 9? No, and neither are the CT & AI modules.

Is there a Board exam for Kaushal Vikas? No. It is assessed only by the school, and the school issues the certificate.

Are Maths and Science Advanced Board exams? Yes, in Class 10 (2027-28), and only if your child opts for them. In Class 9 they are assessed by the school.

Keep a calm weekly rhythm with plenty of sleep. When ready, create a free Learnijoy account to plan the year chapter by chapter.

Last updated: 1 November 2026. Source: CBSE Circular Acad-70/2026, Scheme of Studies for Class IX 2026-27.