CBSE has scrapped the additional subject option for private candidates in the 2026 board exams. Here’s what it means for students and how it may affect academic flexibility

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced significant changes for students appearing in the 2026 board examinations. Among the key revisions is the decision to discontinue the option of choosing an additional subject for private candidates, a choice that had previously offered flexibility to learners.

According to CBSE, the move was taken because internal assessment marks, which are an essential component of evaluation, cannot be accurately assigned in the case of private students opting for extra subjects. This policy shift will impact candidates from both Class 10 and Class 12 who relied on the additional subject route to strengthen academic profiles or keep career options open.

The decision has triggered criticism from parents and students, many of whom argue that the change reduces academic flexibility and limits opportunities for learners seeking to broaden subject combinations after completing school. Students who often added subjects such as Mathematics after Class 12 for higher education requirements may now find their pathways restricted.

While the board maintains that the measure is necessary for fairness in assessment, education experts suggest that CBSE should provide clear transition guidelines so that students do not face last-minute hurdles in planning their academic journeys. Going forward, students are advised to make subject choices carefully during their regular schooling years, without depending on the private candidate option as a backup.