In short: CBSE requires 75% attendance to sit for board exams. Students with 65-75% attendance can apply for condonation (relaxation) on medical or other genuine grounds. Students below 65% are generally not eligible for condonation and may not receive their admit card. This post explains the exact rule, how to calculate your attendance, what to do if you are short, and the medical exemption process.
Last updated: October 29, 2026. Source: CBSE Examination Bye-Laws, cbse.gov.in.
The Rule: What CBSE Actually Says
The CBSE attendance requirement is stated in the CBSE Examination Bye-Laws:
"A candidate who has put in not less than 75% of attendance in the aggregate of all the subjects is eligible to appear in the examination."
This means:
- 75% or above: Eligible to appear. No issue.
- 65% to 74%: May be eligible for condonation (relaxation) on genuine grounds.
- Below 65%: Generally not eligible for condonation. May not receive admit card.
Source: CBSE Examination Bye-Laws — cbse.gov.in
How to Calculate Your Attendance
The calculation is straightforward:
Attendance % = (Days Present ÷ Total Working Days) × 100
| Example | Days Present | Total Working Days | Attendance % | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student A | 180 | 220 | 81.8% | Eligible |
| Student B | 165 | 220 | 75.0% | Eligible (exactly at threshold) |
| Student C | 155 | 220 | 70.5% | Needs condonation |
| Student D | 140 | 220 | 63.6% | Below condonation threshold |
Important: The calculation is based on aggregate attendance across all subjects, not subject-by-subject. If you missed a lot of one subject but attended all others, the aggregate may still be above 75%.
When Schools Issue Shortage Notices
Schools typically issue attendance shortage notices in November and December — when the academic year is nearing its end and the shortfall is still potentially recoverable.
If you receive a shortage notice:
- Verify the calculation. Ask your school for the attendance register and check the numbers yourself. Errors in attendance records do happen.
- Calculate how many days you need. Use the formula: Days needed = (0.75 × Total Working Days) - Days Present.
- Attend every remaining day. Even a few weeks of full attendance can bring you above the threshold.
- Prepare your documentation. If you were absent due to illness, collect medical certificates now — not after the exam.
The Condonation Process: 65% to 74%
Students with attendance between 65% and 74% can apply for condonation — a formal relaxation of the attendance requirement. This is not automatic. You must apply, and the application must be supported by genuine reasons.
Who can grant condonation?
| Authority | Can condone up to |
|---|---|
| Principal of the school | Up to 5% shortfall (i.e., attendance of 70-74%) |
| CBSE Regional Office | Up to 10% shortfall (i.e., attendance of 65-74%) |
Grounds for condonation
CBSE accepts condonation applications on these grounds:
| Ground | Documentation required |
|---|---|
| Medical reasons (illness, hospitalisation, surgery) | Medical certificate from a registered doctor; hospitalisation records if applicable |
| Participation in sports/cultural events at national/state level | Certificate from the organising body |
| Participation in NCC/NSS activities | Certificate from the NCC/NSS officer |
| Natural calamity (flood, earthquake) | Certificate from district authority |
| Death of immediate family member | Death certificate |
| Other genuine reasons | Supporting documentation as appropriate |
The condonation application process
- Collect documentation for the reason for absence.
- Submit to the school principal with a written application.
- Principal forwards to CBSE Regional Office if the shortfall exceeds what the principal can condone.
- CBSE Regional Office reviews and grants or denies condonation.
- Decision communicated to school before the admit card generation date.
The deadline for condonation applications is typically in December or early January. Check with your school for the exact deadline.
Practice any chapter on Padhaao
AI tutor for CBSE, ICSE & 15 state boards · 10 learning modes · 3 free chapters daily
Medical Exemption: The Specific Rules
Medical exemption is the most common ground for condonation. Here is what CBSE requires:
What qualifies as a medical reason
| Condition | Qualifies? |
|---|---|
| Hospitalisation (any duration) | Yes — with discharge summary |
| Surgery and recovery | Yes — with medical certificate and discharge summary |
| Serious illness requiring bed rest (doctor-certified) | Yes — with medical certificate |
| Chronic illness with documented treatment | Yes — with ongoing treatment records |
| Mental health condition requiring treatment | Yes — with psychiatrist/psychologist certificate |
| Minor illness (cold, fever for a few days) | Only if it accounts for a small part of the shortfall |
| "I was not feeling well" without documentation | No |
What documentation you need
| Document | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| Medical certificate | From the treating doctor (must be a registered medical practitioner) |
| Hospitalisation records | From the hospital (discharge summary, admission records) |
| Prescription records | From the pharmacy or doctor |
| Specialist referral letters | If you were referred to a specialist |
Important: The medical certificate must be from a registered medical practitioner (MBBS or above). Certificates from unregistered practitioners are not accepted.
What the medical certificate must contain
- Patient's name (matching school records)
- Dates of illness/treatment
- Nature of illness (general description — does not need to be specific)
- Doctor's name, qualification, registration number, and signature
- Hospital/clinic stamp
What Happens If You Are Below 65%
Students with attendance below 65% are generally not eligible for condonation under CBSE rules. In this situation:
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Appear as a private candidate | You can register as a private candidate for the board exam. Private candidates are not subject to the school attendance requirement. Check cbse.gov.in for private candidate registration rules and deadlines. |
| Repeat the year | If you are in Class 11, you can repeat Class 11 and appear for Class 12 boards next year. |
| NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) | NIOS does not have an attendance requirement. You can register with NIOS and appear for their board exams. NIOS Class 12 is recognised by all universities and for competitive exam eligibility. |
| Appeal to CBSE | In exceptional circumstances (serious illness, natural disaster), you can appeal directly to CBSE. This is not guaranteed to succeed but is worth attempting with strong documentation. |
The Admit Card: When It Is Issued and What Affects It
CBSE issues admit cards for Class 10 and 12 board exams approximately 2-3 weeks before the exam. The admit card is issued through the school.
| Attendance status | Admit card issued? |
|---|---|
| 75% or above | Yes, automatically |
| 65-74% with approved condonation | Yes |
| 65-74% with pending condonation | Held until condonation decision |
| Below 65% without exceptional circumstances | No |
| Below 65% with exceptional circumstances (appeal pending) | Held until appeal decision |
If your admit card is not issued because of an attendance issue, contact your school immediately. Do not wait until the exam date.
Practical Steps: What to Do Right Now
If you are concerned about your attendance, take these steps today:
Step 1: Ask your school for your current attendance percentage. Do not estimate — get the exact number.
Step 2: Calculate how many more days you need to reach 75%. Formula: Days needed = (0.75 × Total Working Days) - Days Present.
Step 3: Attend every remaining school day. Even if you are already above 75%, maintaining attendance protects you against unexpected absences.
Step 4: If you were absent due to illness, collect medical certificates now. Do not wait until December.
Step 5: If you are below 65%, speak to your school principal immediately about your options (private candidate, NIOS, appeal).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 75% rule apply to Class 10 as well as Class 12?
Yes. The CBSE 75% attendance requirement applies to both Class 10 and Class 12 board exam candidates.
What if I was absent because of a school-organised event?
Attendance at school-organised events (sports day, cultural programmes, field trips) is typically counted as present in the attendance register. Check with your school — if these days were marked absent, ask for a correction.
Can my parents write a letter instead of a medical certificate?
No. A parent's letter is not accepted as documentation for medical condonation. You need a certificate from a registered medical practitioner.
What if I was absent because of COVID or another epidemic?
CBSE has historically been flexible about attendance during public health emergencies. If you were absent due to a documented illness during a declared health emergency, this is strong grounds for condonation. Collect documentation from your doctor.
My school says I cannot get condonation. Can I appeal directly to CBSE?
Yes. If your school denies condonation, you can appeal directly to the CBSE Regional Office. The Regional Office has the authority to grant condonation up to 10% shortfall. Contact your CBSE Regional Office directly with your documentation.
What is the deadline for condonation applications?
The deadline varies by year and region. Typically it is in December or early January. Check with your school and the CBSE Regional Office for the exact 2027 deadline.
Does NIOS Class 12 count for JEE/NEET eligibility?
Yes. NIOS Class 12 is recognised for JEE Main and NEET eligibility. Students who complete Class 12 through NIOS are eligible to appear for these exams. Check the official eligibility criteria at nta.ac.in for the specific year.
What if I have 74.9% attendance — am I eligible?
No. CBSE does not round attendance percentages for the purpose of this rule. 74.9% does not meet the 75% threshold. If you are even slightly below 75%, you must apply for condonation. Confirm your exact attendance figure with your school.
CBSE Regional Office Contacts
If you need to contact CBSE directly about an attendance issue:
| Region | States covered | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Delhi, J&K, Ladakh | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Panchkula | Haryana, Punjab, HP, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Ajmer | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Allahabad | UP, MP, Chhattisgarh | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Patna | Bihar, Jharkhand | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Guwahati | Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala (sub-office under Chennai region) | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
| Hyderabad | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana | cbse.nic.in/regional-offices |
Full contact details at cbse.gov.in → Regional Offices.
Related Guides
- Open Letter to Every Class 12 Student Before Board Exams 2027
- CBSE On-Screen Marking 2027 Explained — What Happens to Your Class 12 Answer Sheet
- Board Exam Countdown Timer 2027 — Days Left for CBSE, ICSE and All State Boards
- CBSE Passing Marks 2027 - Minimum Marks, Grace Policy, Compartment Rules
- CBSE Class 10 Best of Two Exams Calculator — Should You Take the May Exam?
- Board Exam Admit Card 2027 - How to Download for CBSE and All State Boards
Sources
- CBSE Examination Bye-Laws 2024 — cbse.gov.in
- CBSE attendance condonation rules — cbse.gov.in
- NIOS recognition for competitive exams — nios.ac.in
- CBSE Regional Offices — cbse.gov.in
₹21/mo (annual plan)
Padhaao covers 17,000+ chapters across 17 boards
Your exact syllabus. 10 learning modes. 3 free daily. Pro for unlimited - ₹21/month (annual plan).
Want the full chapter with solved examples?
10 learning modes. Board-specific content. 3 free chapters every day.
Try it free