The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a firm and non-negotiable warning to students preparing for the 2026 Class 10 board examinations. In a significant move aimed at standardising assessment, the board has declared that any answers written in the incorrect section of the answer book for Science and Social Science papers will be completely ignored and awarded zero marks.
New Section-Wise Format for Question Papers
This strict directive follows a restructuring of the question papers for the two subjects. According to a circular released on December 9, the board has divided the Science paper into three distinct sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Similarly, the Social Science paper will now feature four separate sections dedicated to History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
The redesign is intended to bring greater clarity to the paper pattern and create a uniform framework for evaluation across all CBSE-affiliated schools. Students are now mandated to divide their answer books precisely according to these prescribed sections and confine their responses strictly within the designated space for each subject.
A Rule with No Exceptions
The board's advisory leaves no room for error or leniency. It explicitly states that any answer written in the wrong section or mixed across sections will not be evaluated under any circumstances. This means such responses will fetch no marks, regardless of their academic merit.
Emphasising the absolute nature of this rule, CBSE clarified that these errors will not be rectified even during post-result processes like answer book verification or revaluation. The policy will be enforced uniformly to ensure consistency and fairness in the assessment of all candidates.
Preparing Students for Compliance
CBSE has instructed school principals and heads to communicate these critical guidelines clearly to all students who will be appearing for the examinations. The board has further advised schools to proactively familiarise students with the new format well in advance. This familiarisation should be achieved through dedicated practice sessions and by incorporating the new structure into pre-board examinations.
The board underscored that adherence to examination instructions is as crucial as subject preparation itself. Students have been strongly urged to cultivate the habit of carefully reading the question paper and the instructions printed on the answer book. Paying close attention to the section-wise divisions before attempting to write answers is now a vital exam strategy.
This move by CBSE signals a shift towards meticulous procedural compliance in high-stakes board exams, where how you write could be just as important as what you write.
