The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced fresh updates to its internal assessment policies, effective from September 2025. These changes impact both Class 10 and Class 12 students, aligning with the broader reforms introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2025.
The goal is to reduce exam stress, ensure continuous learning, and make assessments more skill-oriented rather than purely exam-based. For students preparing for upcoming board exams, the CBSE internal assessment changes 2025 represent a significant shift in how marks will be distributed and evaluated.
Why Did CBSE Revise Internal Assessment Rules?
CBSE’s decision is based on two key factors:
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Student Well-being: Overdependence on final board exams creates pressure, often leading to anxiety.
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Alignment With NEP 2025: The NEP encourages holistic learning, project work, and critical thinking.
By updating internal assessment, CBSE ensures that marks reflect not only exam performance but also class participation, practical learning, and creative projects.
Key Changes Introduced in September 2025
The revised CBSE circular outlines major modifications in assessment for both secondary and senior secondary levels:
For Class 10
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Internal Marks Weightage: Increased from 20% to 30% of the final grade.
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Components: Class tests, projects, oral presentations, and subject-specific practicals.
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New Focus: Life skills and vocational exposure are part of internal evaluations.
For Class 12
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Internal Marks Weightage: Increased from 20% to 25%.
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Components: Practical exams, research-based assignments, and periodic subject reviews.
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Board Exam Integration: Practical scores will carry more weight in science and commerce streams.
This ensures that students are judged on consistent performance throughout the year rather than a single exam day.
Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) Returns in a Modern Form
CBSE had earlier experimented with CCE, but it was discontinued due to execution issues. The 2025 update revives CCE principles with digital tracking and structured rubrics. Schools will now upload students’ assessment records to the CBSE digital portal, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Benefits for Students
The new CBSE internal assessment changes 2025 bring multiple advantages:
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Reduced Stress: Students don’t need to rely only on the final exam.
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Skill-Based Learning: Marks for creativity, problem-solving, and practical application.
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Balanced Evaluation: Considers projects, teamwork, and communication skills.
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Encourages Consistency: Regular study habits matter more than last-minute cramming.
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Career Readiness: Exposure to research and projects prepares students for higher education.
Teacher and School Responsibilities
Schools are now required to:
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Conduct at least three periodic tests per subject each term.
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Assign mandatory project work in science, commerce, and humanities.
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Upload marks digitally to CBSE servers monthly.
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Train teachers in rubric-based evaluation to avoid bias.
CBSE has also warned schools against inflating marks, promising random audits of internal assessments.
Challenges in Implementation
While the changes are student-friendly, some challenges are expected:
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Teacher Workload: More assignments and evaluations to manage.
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Uniformity: Ensuring all schools grade fairly across India.
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Digital Access: Rural schools may struggle with uploading assessments online.
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Parent Awareness: Many parents still focus heavily on board exam results.
To address these issues, CBSE has promised teacher training workshops and helplines for students and parents.
How Parents and Students Should Adapt
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Students: Focus on regular studies, participation, and project work throughout the year.
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Parents: Support children in managing workloads and encourage creative assignments.
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Teachers: Stay updated with CBSE rubrics and guidelines to avoid confusion.
By September 2025, most schools have already rolled out these changes, and students appearing in board exams 2026 will experience the updated assessment system fully.
FAQs
What is the new internal marks weightage for CBSE Class 10 in 2025?
The weightage has been increased from 20% to 30% of the final grade.
How much weightage will internal marks have for Class 12 in 2025?
Class 12 students will now have 25% internal assessment marks included in their final results.
Will projects and assignments be compulsory in 2025?
Yes, CBSE has made project work and presentations mandatory for both Class 10 and Class 12.
Are these rules applicable to board exams in 2025 itself?
No, they will be fully applicable for students appearing in the 2026 board exams, starting with the September 2025 session.
How will CBSE ensure fairness in internal marking?
Schools must upload marks digitally, and CBSE will conduct random audits to prevent manipulation.