CBSE Credit System: Passing subjects increased, learning hours goes up ahead of Board Exam 2024

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed to bring a set of changes in the academic framework for Class 9 to 12. CBSE Board Exam 2024 is all set to commence from February 15. Check some major changes proposed by the Board in credit system for Class 9 to 12. 

CBSE Credit System: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed to bring a set of changes in the academic framework for Class 9 to 12. In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Board is set to notify various modifications in the credit system. According to the guidelines draft, changes are brought in number of compulsory subjects, increase in learning hours, and more.

All CBSE schools were asked to review the National Credit Framework which has been prepared by the UGC to provide flexibility and mobility to students and provide suggestions by December 5, 2023. While the CBSE board exam 2024 are all set to commence from February 15, 2024, the Ministry has already announced board exam twice a year from the upcoming session. Students prepping for the upcoming session are advised to go read further to understand the proposed changes in CBSE credit system. 

What is CBSE Credit System?

Creditisation aims to establish academic equivalence between vocational and general education, facilitating mobility between the two education systems, as proposed by the NEP 2020. To implement this, the University Grants Commission — the higher education regulator — had come up with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) in 2022.

NCrF is a unified credit framework for the integration of training and skill development into schools and higher education. For a student in Class 9 to advance to Class 10, they will need to earn a specified number of credits. Eventually, the student will earn enough credits to be eligible to enrol in an undergraduate programme in a university. The credits earned by a student will be digitally stored in the Academic Bank of Credits and accessible through a linked Digilocker account.

The NCrF guidelines for schools “focuses on developing conceptual understanding and critical skills among students. For this purpose, school education is imagined as a flexible, multi-disciplinary endeavour, rooted in the country's ethos that would create self-sufficient learners capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century,” the proposal read.

Major Changes Proposed for CBSE Class 9-10 credit system

Following are some of the major changes proposed in credit system for CBSE Class 9:

Passing subjects Increased

According to the existing scheme, to be declared pass, students of Classes 9 to 10 have to pass 5 subjects (2 language and 3 subjects). However, under the proposed guidelines, students should pass in 3 languages, of which at least two should be native Indian language and 7 subjects. Students should pass each of the 10 subjects to be declared pass.

The seven subjects include mathematics and computational thinking, social science, science, art education, physical education and well-being, vocational education, and interdisciplinary areas.

Learning hours Increased!

The Board has proposed to increase the total learning hours to 1,200 hours as against 1,050 hours in the existing scheme. 120 hours have been allotted for each of three languages and interdisciplinary areas such as environmental education, 150 hours for mathematics and computational thinking, social science, science and vocational education, and 60 hours each for art education and physical education and well-being. 40 credits will be given to students passing in Class 9 and 10 with 10 subjects.

What has changed in CBSE Class 11-12 credit system?

Studying and passing 6 subjects - 2 languages and 4 subjects - to earn 40 credits is compulsory for Class 11 and 12 students. 180 learning hours have been allotted to two languages, of which one should be Indian native language, and 210 hours for 4 subjects. 47 credits will be given to students passing 7 subjects. The fifth subject is optional. Meanwhile, grades will be awarded to students in each scholastic subject. The passed students will be put in a rank order to award grades starting from A1 to D2. Those obtaining E grade will be put under “essential repeat”.

Credit distribution as per learning hours

Compulsory subjects	Hours	Credits
Subject 1- Language 1	180	6
Subject 2- Language 2	180	6
Subject 3	210	7
Subject 4	210	7
Subject 5	210	7
Subject 6	210	7
Optional Subject 7	210	7
Total	1,200	40-47