India, Aug. 19 -- The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has overhauled the academic and assessment framework for Class 9 from the 2026-27 session, making vocational education a compulsory subject, introducing optional advanced assessments in Mathematics and Science, and revising promotion norms. Under the new structure, students will be evaluated in six core subjects, Language 1, Language 2, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Vocational Education. The inclusion of vocational education is aimed at exposing students to practical skills and career-oriented learning at an early stage. Students will also continue studying a third language as part of the three-language formula followed in Class 8. Schools will conduct its assessment, with students being graded as "Qualified" or "Not Qualified". While failing the third-language assessment will not automatically prevent promotion to Class 10, students must clear it before they are eligible to appear for the Class 10 board examinations. Also Read - EC revises Delhi's SIR schedule; final voter list to be published on Nov 4 Advertisement The DoE has also introduced optional advanced assessments in Mathematics and Science for students seeking greater academic challenge. These one-hour, 25-mark tests will evaluate conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking beyond the prescribed syllabus. The scores will not be counted towards promotion or the overall percentage, but students securing at least 50 per cent will have the achievement recorded on their marksheet. The revised policy also does away with the Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard distinction for students entering Class 9 from 2026-27, although the existing system will continue for Class 10 students during the same academic year. For promotion to Class 10, students must obtain at least 33 per cent separately in internal or practical and external assessments in each of the six main subjects, along with a minimum of 25 per cent in the annual examination. Those failing in up to three subjects will be eligible for compartment examinations, while students who do not meet the prescribed criteria will have to repeat Class 9. In addition, Art Education, Physical Education and Well-Being, and Individuals in Society will remain compulsory curricular areas.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.