SPECIAL REPORT: CBSE 2026 Paper Difficulty Sparks Nationwide Debate

 

By Aman Maan, Student Counsellor

PRAYAGRAJ– The 2026 CBSE Board Examination season has taken an unexpected turn, leaving thousands of students and parents in a state of high anxiety. What was meant to be a transition into a more "student-friendly" dual-exam format has instead become a battleground over paper difficulty and fairness.

As a counsellor, I have seen a sharp rise in distress calls following the Class 10 Mathematics and Class 12 Physics papers. Here is a breakdown of the current situation and what it means for your results.

The Controversy: "JEE-Level" Questions in Board Exams?

The outcry began on February 17 after the Class 10 Mathematics exam. While students opting for "Basic Math" expected a manageable paper, many reported that their sets were significantly tougher and lengthier than the "Standard Math" version.

The fire spread further with the Class 12 Physics paper. Educators and students have alleged a "stark contrast" between different sets. Specifically:

 * Set 2 and Set 3 were reportedly much harder than Set 1.

 * Tricky MCQs and lengthy numericals in Section C were described as being at the level of JEE Main or Advanced, rather than following the NCERT pattern.

The Legal Battle: PIL Filed Against CBSE

In a major development, educator Prashant Kirad has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the CBSE. The petition argues that the board has failed to maintain a uniform difficulty level across different sets and regions.

> "It’s about equality," Kirad stated in a recent address. "A student's future shouldn't depend on whether they were 'lucky' enough to get an easy set. We are demanding official grace marks or at least a directive for lenient evaluation."

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Will You Get Grace Marks?

As of February 25, 2026, CBSE has not released any official notification regarding grace marks. However, it is important to understand how the board usually handles these "crisis" situations:

 * Moderation Policy: CBSE uses a statistical process to align the marks of students who got tougher sets with those who had easier ones. This happens behind the scenes during result processing.

 * Grace Marks: Traditionally, grace marks (usually up to 5) are only given to borderline cases to help a student reach the 33% passing mark.

 * Observation Redressal: Schools have already started sending "Observation Schedules" to the board, flagging specific questions that were out-of-syllabus or incorrectly framed.

Counsellor’s Advice: What Should You Do?

To every student reading this: Do not let the "Tough Paper" trauma ruin your upcoming exams. * Trust the Process: If a paper is genuinely tough for everyone, the national average drops, and the board often compensates during marking.

 * The Safety Net: Remember that for Class 10, you have a second attempt opportunity in May 2026 if you wish to improve your score.

 * Focus on the Next: Dwelling on a finished paper will only drain the energy you need for Chemistry, Biology, or Humanities subjects.