CBSE Recommends 3 Languages, 7 Additional Subjects for Class 10, Six Papers for Class 12: Reports

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is spearheading a significant overhaul of the academic structure for secondary and higher secondary education, according to a report from The Indian Express. The proposed changes encompass a shift from studying two languages to three in Class 10, with the stipulation that at least two of these languages must be indigenous to India.

In a bid to enhance academic rigour, there is a proposed alteration in the passing criteria for Class 10 students. The requirement is set to increase from passing in five subjects to 10. Similarly, for Class 12, the suggested modifications include students studying two languages instead of one, with the condition that at least one must be a native Indian language. Consequently, students would need to excel in examinations in six subjects instead of the current five to complete high school.

The proposed revisions are part of CBSE’s larger aim to establish a national credit framework in school education. In line with the National Education Policy 2020, this framework seeks to create academic equivalency between general education and vocational education, allowing for smooth transitions between the two educational systems.

According to The Indian Express, presently, the traditional school curriculum lacks an organised credit system. The CBSE proposal envisions a full academic year consisting of 1,200 notional learning hours or 40 credits. Notional learning refers to the estimated time required for a typical learner to achieve specific learning objectives. Students need to complete 1,200 study hours in a year, covering academic and non-academic learning.

To align with this initiative, the CBSE suggests adding more subjects to the secondary and high school curricula. This includes vocational and transdisciplinary courses. Under the credit-based system for Class 10, students would need to pass 10 subjects, comprising seven main topics and three languages, as opposed to the current five subjects.

Classes 11 and 12 would see a shift from studying five subjects to six. This includes two languages and four subjects, with an optional fifth subject. Importantly, one of the two languages must be of Indian origin.

Towards the end of the previous year, all heads of CBSE-affiliated schools received a proposal detailing these structural changes for Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12. The deadline for receiving feedback from these universities was December 5, 2023.