The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) reported a pass percentage of 85.20% for Class 12 students in 2026, marking a significant decline from 88.39% in 2025 and 87.98% in 2024. This sharp drop has led to debates among students, parents, and educators regarding whether the board examinations are becoming harder or if evaluations are simply becoming stricter. Experts suggest that the decline may be attributed to the end of pandemic-era leniency and a shift towards competency-based assessments, which emphasize analytical understanding over rote memorization.

The introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for nearly 98 lakh answer sheets is believed to enhance evaluation accuracy, potentially reducing leniency for borderline candidates. Despite the lower overall pass percentage, the number of students scoring above 90% remains substantial, with 94,028 achieving this mark. However, the percentage of top scorers has decreased compared to the post-pandemic years.

In 2026, girls maintained a higher pass percentage of 88.86%, outperforming boys at 82.13%. The rise in compartment candidates, totaling over 1.63 lakh, further indicates a shift in evaluation standards. Overall, while the pass percentage has dropped, the CBSE's focus appears to be on fostering skills and competencies rather than merely inflating exam results.