The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday declared the Class 10 board examination results for 2026, registering a marginal rise in the overall pass percentage and marking the first full cycle under the dual-examination format.

According to a press release, the overall pass percentage for Class X stands at 93.70%, slightly higher than 93.66% recorded in 2025.

Marginal shifts in gender-wise performance

Gender-wise data shows little movement from previous patterns. Girls continued to outperform boys, though the gap remained narrow. Girls recorded a pass percentage of 94.99%, a marginal dip from 95.00% in 2025. Boys saw a slight improvement, rising to 92.69% from 92.63%.

The transgender category saw a sharper change, with pass rates dropping to 87.50% from 95.00% the previous year. Overall, performance across categories reflects minor year-on-year variation without altering the broader trend.

Southern region leads

Regional data again places southern zones at the top. Thiruvananthapuram and Vijayawada recorded the highest pass percentages at 99.79%, followed by Chennai at 99.58%. These regions continue to outperform national averages.

Central schools top institutional rankings

Institution-wise, centrally run schools lead the chart. Kendriya Vidyalayas recorded a pass percentage of 99.57%, followed by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas at 99.42%. Independent schools remained above the national average at 93.77%, while government and government-aided schools reported 91.43% and 91.01% respectively.