CBSE revises Class 9 scheme 6th time in 7 months; drops 3 planned curricular components

In a significant concession to Class IX students preparing for the 2028 board examinations, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made adjustments to the Scheme of Studies. These changes come after the introduction of new subjects, which have caused confusion and added pressure to students who were required to study between nine and ten subjects.

The revised scheme aims to ease the burden on students by focusing on five compulsory board exam subjects while allowing them to study the remaining subjects without the stress of scoring marks.

Under the revised scheme, the compulsory board exam subjects will include two languages, mathematics, science, and social science. However, students will still be required to study nine compulsory curricular subjects, which will include a third language, art education, physical education, well-being, and vocational education. The subjects 'Individuals in Society' and 'Modules on Computational Thinking (CT) and AI' in Class IX (for the 2026-27 academic session) and 'Environmental Education' in Class X (for the 2027-28 academic session) will not be part of the curriculum for the relevant batches.

These changes were communicated in a circular issued by CBSE to all principals and heads of affiliated schools. The adjustments will apply to students in Class IX for the 2026-27 session and those progressing to Class X in the 2027-28 session. The existing scheme will continue for students in Class X for the 2026-27 session. To meet the requirement of compulsory vocational education for Class IX students (2026-27) moving on to Class X (2027-28), students can opt for either the subject Kaushal Vikas or any one of the 22 Skill Subjects notified by the Board.