CBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026

CBSE recently concluded Class 12 Examinations on 10th April 2026, and the results are expected to be declared by the third week of May. Students should secure a minimum 33% in the theory subject to pass.

• For subjects with practicals/Internal Assessment (I.A.), students need to secure 33% separately in both components to pass.
• According to the CBSE's nine-point grading system, students must receive a grade higher than an E (meaning D2 or higher) to pass the subject.
• Out of 80 marks in the theory paper, 26 is the passing mark (English, Hindi, Mathematics, etc).
• Out of 70 marks in the theory paper, 23 is the passing mark (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, etc).
• For practicals/internals (20/30 marks), passing marks are 7 and 10, respectively.
• A student should pass all five main subjects.

CBSE uses the “best-of-five” rule to calculate the percentage of students with six subjects. If a student with six subjects fails in one main subject, the student will be declared passed if he passes all the other subjects, including the additional subject.

Related Articles:

• CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 Live Updates: Check Scores on UMANG, DigiLocker
• CBSE 12th Overall Pass Percentage 2026

Key Summary

• Students need a minimum of 33% to pass the Class 12 CBSE examination 2026.
• For subjects with practicals/project/Internal Assessment (I.A.), it is mandatory to pass both the components, with 33% marks in each.
• Students can improve the marks of any one subject later in the July 2026 Supplementary Exam, and the higher marks will be considered final.
• The “Best of five” rule applies to percentage calculation for students with an additional subject or six subjects.
• Students who fail in only one subject can sit for the compartment exam; however, failing in two or more subjects makes them an Essential Repeat Candidate.

CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026

CBSE Class 12 Exam Assessment consists of two components, i.e., Theory Examination and Practical/Internal Assessment. The bifurcation of marks between these components and the passing marks for each component in different subjects is as follows:

• CBSE has prescribed a minimum of 33% marks as the passing threshold.
• For subjects with an 80 (Theory) + 20 (Practical/IA) division, you need to secure 26 (Theory) + 7 (Practical/IA) to pass.
• For subjects with a 70 (Theory) + 30 (Practical/IA) division, you need to secure 23 (Theory) + 10 (Practical/IA) to pass.
• For subjects with a 60 (Theory) + 40 (Practical/IA) division, you need to secure 20 (Theory) + 13 (Practical/IA) to pass.
• For subjects with a 50 (Theory) + 50 (Practical/IA) division, you need to secure 16.5 in each of the components to pass.
• For subjects with a 30 (Theory) + 70 (Practical/IA) division, you need to secure 10 (Theory) + 23 (Practical/IA) to pass.

CBSE Class 12 Subject-Wise Marking Scheme

Let’s have a glance at the subject-wise passing marks of the various subjects offered under CBSE across different streams and electives in the following sections;

Language & Literature

Academic Streams

Science

Commerce

Humanities/Arts

C. Fine Arts, Music, & Performing Arts

D. Vocational & Skill-Based Electives

E. Technical & Specialized Electives

Source: CBSE Class XII Subject-Wise Marks Distribution Notice

CBSE Class 12 Grading Scheme

CBSE indicates letter grades on a nine-point scale for subjects of external examinations. These grades are derived from the subject scores. For internal assessment, the school awards these grades.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the grading system for Class 12.

Note:

• In the event of a tie, all the students with equal scores will be awarded the same grade.
• The grading system applies to subjects where more than 500 students pass.

Also Check: CBSE Class 12 Grading System 2026, CGPA, Grade Point and Percentage

CBSE Class 12 Passing Percentage (2025-21)

The recently concluded CBSE Class 12 Examination was attempted by over 18.5 Lakh students across 7500+ centres in India, witnessing a massive increase in the number of students who took the exam compared to the previous year.

The results of the CBSE Class 12th Examination are expected to be declared by late April or early May. With a significant participation rate this year, it would be interesting to note the 2026 passing percentage. Below, we have summarised the CBSE Class 12 passing percentage of the last five years.

Source: CBSE Examination Statistics, verified reports.

• The passing percentage suffered a significant continuous dip from 2021 to 2023, and then rebounded in 2024.
• However, the number of students appearing for the CBSE Class 12 Examination increased over the years, with 2026 witnessing a massive percentage of students who took the exam, over 18.5 lakh students.
• While 2021 saw a record pass percentage, 2025 witnessed a higher absolute number of students passing the exam due to the enormous increase in exam-takers over the years.

Also Check: CBSE 12th Region-Wise Pass Percentage 2026

Class 12 Improvement/Supplementary Exam 2026

Students who are dissatisfied with their scores in one subject in Class 12 Exams this year can improve their performance; however, please take note of the following;

• Students can improve the score of one subject only during the July 2026 supplementary exam.
• Improving the score of two or more subjects is not permissible under this.
• The higher of the two marks, be it the original marks secured or the improvement, will be considered as the final mark in the subject.

Note: Compartment Exam is mandatory to pass a single failed subject without reappearing in the entire examination again, whereas the supplementary/improvement exam is for students seeking to upgrade their marks in a particular subject and raise the overall percentage to meet college cut-offs.