CBSE Reiterates 75% Attendance Rule for 2025–26 Board Exams

CBSE mandates 75% attendance for 2025–26 board exams; releases SOPs for condonation.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has once again stressed the importance of maintaining a minimum 75% attendance for students appearing in the Class 10 and 12 board exams for the 2025–26 academic session. A new circular issued on August 4, 2025, reaffirms the directive first introduced in October 2024, reinforcing the provisions under Rules 13 and 14 of the CBSE Examination Bye-Laws.

To ensure proper implementation, the board has also released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for schools. These SOPs mandate institutions to inform both students and parents well in advance about the attendance criteria and the limited circumstances under which attendance shortages can be condoned.

Valid reasons for condonation include:

• Prolonged illness

• Death of a parent or immediate family member

• Serious personal emergencies

• Participation in national or international sports or other recognised events

  
  

Schools are expected to maintain detailed attendance records and forward cases requiring condonation to the board with appropriate documentation before the stipulated deadlines.

CBSE has reiterated that failure to meet the attendance requirement — unless formally condoned — will result in students being ineligible to appear for the final board examinations.

This move is part of the board's ongoing efforts to improve academic discipline and ensure meaningful classroom engagement throughout the year.