Over 85 per cent pass CBSE class 12 exams

Over 85 per cent class 12 students have cleared the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination, the board announced on Wednesday. The overall pass rate has dipped by over three percentage points compared to the last year, the result show. Girls once again outperformed boys in the examinations and recorded 88.86 pass percentage, while for boys, it stood at 82.13 per cent.

Marking a first, the CBSE carried out full-scale evaluation of class 12 exam answer sheets through ‘On Screen Marking’ (OSM), under which 98,66,622 answer books were digitally assessed by around 70,000 evaluators.

Department of School Education & Literacy Secretary Sanjay Kumar said this year some there is a difference in the percentage of marks this time, but that is quite natural because the scheme for assessment changed and that is reflected in the results. “But I don’t think that is the more important part. The more important part is that the examination results are out. Girls have done much better than the boys, as usual and I would take this opportunity to congratulate all the children and all those who have done well. To some, who may not have done that well, I would say not to lose their heart,” Kumar said.

CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj confirmed that more than 85 per cent of the students have passed the exams. A total of 94,028 candidates — 5.32 per cent of all examinees — scored 90 per cent and above, while 17,113 candidates (0.97 per cent) scored 95 per cent or more.

He said the number of students placed in compartment rose to 1,63,800 (9.26 per cent) in 2026, up from 1,29,095 (7.63 per cent) in 2025. It means that these student may have failed in one or two subjects in the main board exam but have passed in the other subjects. Transgender candidates achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.

Students placed in compartment or wishing to improve performance in one subject may appear in the supplementary examination scheduled for July 15, officials said. The ‘List of Candidates’ (LOC) submission window will open on June 2.