CBSE private candidates raise concern over missing ‘Additional Subject’ option in 2026 exam forms

 CBSE private candidates raise concern over missing ‘Additional Subject’ option in 2026 exam forms 

 

 

The Sudden Removal and Student Concerns 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has stirred controversy among private candidates for the 2026 board examinations by removing the option to select an “Additional Subject” in the application forms. Previously, this option allowed students to add subjects beyond their main course, often helping those who wished to qualify for engineering or technology courses or clear a subject marked under Repeat Theory (RT). Several students, especially from the science stream, had relied on this provision to appear privately for subjects like Mathematics, essential for competitive exams but not taken during their regular schooling. 

With the 2026 exam form release, many private students were dismayed to find the missing “Additional Subject” category online, without prior notice from CBSE. Students preparing for engineering entrances like JEE raised alarms that this change jeopardizes their eligibility and years of preparation since reappearing through private candidature was their only viable option. 

Academic and Psychological Impact 

The sudden policy change has caused significant anxiety among students. One student expressed feeling demotivated and stated that the removal shuts vital doors, impacting career aspirations and forcing difficult decisions such as re-enrolling elsewhere or abandoning plans. Many fear this absence limits their flexibility to change streams or improve failing subjects and complicates their academic futures. 

CBSE Clarification and Rules 

CBSE later issued clarifications confirming that private candidates must fulfill the two-year study requirement for additional subjects in Class 10 and 12. Only students who had previously taken an additional subject and were in Compartment or Essential Repeat categories can reappear privately for those subjects. The board emphasized the necessity of internal assessments and attendance, reiterating that additional subjects are not available on demand for private candidates without fulfilling these conditions. 

CBSE also highlighted that schools must have prior board approval and appropriate facilities and qualified teachers to offer subjects, main or additional. Students and educators continue to seek clearer guidelines and possible reconsideration from CBSE regarding this contentious change. 

Conclusion: A Call for Clarity and Support 

The removal of the additional subject option presents a challenge for many students navigating their academic and career paths under uncertainty. While CBSE’s intent to maintain rigorous standards is understandable, transparent communication and flexible alternatives are critical to avoid disrupting students’ futures. With more clarification and support, students hope to regain confidence and adapt to the evolving board policies without losing valuable academic time. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From Idea to Prototype: Teaching Kids Product Design and Development

Image
From Idea to Prototype: Teaching Kids Product Design and Development       The Power of Turning Ideas Into Reality   Every great invention starts with a simple idea. Teaching kids how to transform their ideas into real prototypes is a powerful way to spark creativity and critical thinking. Product design and development not only introduce children to engineering concepts but also nurture problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation. At Makers’ Muse, we believe that helping kids move from an abstract concept to a tangible creation builds confidence and encourages a lifelong passion for STEM.     Step-by-Step Approach to Product Design for Kids   Introducing product design to kids can be broken down into fun, manageable steps:   Brainstorming and Idea Generation: Encourage children to observe problems around them and think of solutions. Sketching ideas on paper helps visualize concepts.   Research and Planning: Teach kids to explore existing p...
Read more

Why STEM Labs in Schools Can Spark a Brighter Future

Image
A Makers Muse Perspective on Building Future-Ready Classrooms   At Makers Muse , we believe the future belongs to the curious — the builders, the tinkerers, the problem-solvers. That’s why we’re passionate about integrating STEM labs into the fabric of primary and secondary education. But beyond the buzzwords, what real benefits do these labs bring to young learners?   Let’s break it down.     🌱 Early Exposure = Lifelong Curiosity   Imagine a student in Class 4 programming their first robot or assembling a simple sensor-based system. They’re not just learning coding — they’re developing a mindset of curiosity and experimentation .   STEM labs allow children to explore science and technology through touch, play, and real-world application , making learning feel natural and exciting. This early exposure builds confidence and comfort with technical concepts, which lasts well into adulthood.     🧠 Learning That Goes Beyond Textbooks   Tra...
Read more

How STEM and Robotics Build Teamwork and Resilience in Kids

Image
  How STEM and Robotics Build Teamwork and Resilience in Kids   It’s Not Just About Building Robots   When most people hear STEM , they think of coding, robots, and a lot of wires. But if you’ve ever watched a group of kids build a robot together, you know it’s about much more than that.   It’s about that moment when the robot doesn’t move the way they expected — and instead of giving up, they huddle together to figure it out. It’s about one child stepping in to help another troubleshoot, and the whole team cheering when it finally works.   At Makers’ Muse, we see this every day: STEM becomes a tool not just to teach kids how things work , but how they work best when they support each other.     Tiny Teams, Big Life Lessons   Let’s face it — kids don’t always get along. But something changes when they’re given a shared challenge, like making a robot walk or a game run smoothly.   Suddenly, they’re assigning tasks, listening to eac...
Read more