CBSE Follows NEP Guidelines, Considers Two-Level System for Science and Social Science Starting 2026

Starting in the 2026-27 academic session, there will be two levels for Science and Social Science up to Class 9 and Class 10, as a part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's agenda for restructuring in various places. It will provide scope to pupils at classes 9 and 10 to take either the normal or the advanced level courses, much like the earlier two-level system for Maths taken by the students in the course being introduced from Class 10 level onward from the 2019-20 academic session itself.

This move, discussed at a recent meeting of the CBSE's curriculum committee, aims to align with the NEP's vision of reducing academic pressure and discouraging the coaching culture by allowing students to pursue subjects at different levels according to their abilities. The final decision will be made by the CBSE's governing body, which is its highest decision-making authority.

This comes even as the board awaits new textbooks that conform to the updated National Curriculum Framework from the National Council of Educational Research and Training. It is in line with a suggestion by the NEP that subjects, such as Mathematics, be offered at two levels for more balanced and personalized learning. CBSE data from the 2023-24 academic session showed that more students opted for the standard level of Mathematics, with around 15.88 million students registering for the standard level compared to 6.79 million for the basic level.