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The Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education ( HPBOSE) has its passing criteria, where students need to score a minimum of 33% in the theory and practical examinations separately to qualify. For the overall aggregate, students need to obtain a minimum of 33% in the HPBOSE 12th examination.
Students can read more about the HPBOSE 12th passing marks in the headers below.
To qualify for the HPBOSE 12th examination, students must individually score a minimum of 33% in both theory and practical exams. A minimum of 33% is also required in the overall aggregate to pass the HPBOSE 12th examination.
The theory examination is conducted in either 60 or 80 marks, depending on the subject chosen by the student. To pass the theory section, students must score at least 20 out of 60 or 26 out of 80, which corresponds to the required 33%. Practical examinations are typically held for students in the Science and Arts streams. A few practicals are conducted for 20 marks, and some others are conducted for 40 marks, including 15 marks CCE. To pass 20 marks practical, one needs to score 6 marks, and those subjects having 25+15 ( CCE), they need to score 8 in practical and 5 in CCE.
| Component | Total Marks | Passing Marks | Stream/Notes |
| Theory Exam | 60 | 20 | Subject-dependent |
| Theory Exam | 80 | 26 | Subject-dependent |
| Practical Exam | 20 | 6 | Science and Arts streams only |
| Practical Exam | 25 (Practical) + 15 (CCE) | 8 (Practical) + 5 (CCE) | The Science and Arts streams have 40 marks of practical each, based on the subject selected by the student. |
| Overall Aggregate | Varies | 33% of total marks | Must score 33% overall to pass |
Important: HPBOSE Class 12 Exam Pattern
Students are required to appear in a total of five subjects for the HPBOSE 12th examination. Out of 5 subjects, 2 papers will be language papers, and the remaining three papers will be elective subjects chosen by the student.
| Subject | Theory Marks | Minimum Passing Marks (Theory) | Total Practical Marks | Minimum Passing Marks (Practical + CCE) |
| Physics | 60 | 20 | 25 + 15 (CCE) | 8 + 5 (CCE) |
| Chemistry | 60 | 20 | 25 + 15 (CCE) | 8 + 5 (CCE) |
| Biology | 60 | 20 | 25 + 15 (CCE) | 8 + 5 (CCE) |
| Mathematics | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
| Accountancy | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
| Business Studies | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
| Economics | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
| History | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
| Political Science | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
| Sociology | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
| English | 80 | 26 | 20 | 6 |
Must Check: HPBOSE 12th Previous Year Question Papers
The Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education evaluates its student results based on the grading system. It has a 9-point grading scale ranging from A1 to E2. Students need to score a minimum ‘D’ grade that is 33 per cent to pass the examination. Students scoring between 90% and 100% are awarded the A1 grade, while those scoring below 33% receive grades E1 or E2 and are required to appear for the compartment exam. Students are graded by calculating the total marks obtained in theory and practical examinations.
| Grade | Marks Range (%) | Performance Level | Remarks |
| A1 | 91 – 100 | Outstanding | Excellent grasp of the subject |
| A2 | 81 – 90 | Excellent | Very high level of understanding |
| B1 | 71 – 80 | Very Good | Strong performance |
| B2 | 61 – 70 | Good | Above average |
| C1 | 51 – 60 | Fair | Satisfactory performance |
| C2 | 41 – 50 | Average | Can improve further |
| D | 33 – 40 | Marginal (Pass) | Minimum required for passing |
| E1 | 21 – 32 | Needs Improvement (Fail) | Eligible for the compartment exam |
| E2 | 00 – 20 | Needs Significant Improvement | Eligible for the compartment exam |
Read More: HPBOSE 12th Grading System
Students who couldn't score the minimum percentage of 33 have to appear for the HPBOSE compartment exam. The Compartment Exam is tentatively scheduled to take place in July or August 2026. A student must register themselves through the official website in online mode to appear for this examination. Without registration, they won't be allowed to appear for this examination. Students can sit for the compartment examination in up to 2 subjects. They need to pay a fee to appear for this exam. The compartment exam results are expected to be released around September 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
| Eligibility | Students scoring below 33% (E1 or E2 grades) |
| Number of Subjects Allowed | Up to 2 subjects |
| Mode of Registration | Online via HPBOSE Official Website (https://hpbose.org) |
| Registration Requirement | Mandatory to register — no entry without registration |
| Exam Tentative Date | July – August 2026 |
| Registration Fee | Required (Amount to be confirmed on the official website) |
| Result Declaration | Tentatively in September 2026 |
Students must obtain at least 33% marks in both theory and practical papers to pass the HPBOSE 12th Examination 2026. An overall aggregate of at least 33% is required to pass. The HPBOSE has a 9-point grading scale, ranging from A1- E2. A1 is the highest grade given to those scoring above 90%, and E2 is the lowest. Students who couldn't score the minimum 33% receive the grades E1 or E2 and have to appear for compartment exams in up to two subjects. The Compartment exams are expected to be tentatively held in July–August, with results to be declared in September 2026. Registration for the compartment exam is mandatory and must be done online through the HPBOSE website.
Q: What are the passing marks for the HPBOSE 12th Examination 2026?
Q: How many marks are required to pass the theory exams conducted for 60 and 80 marks?
Q: What is the HPBOSE grading system?
Q: What is the eligibility for the HPBOSE 12th compartment exam?
Q: When will the HPBOSE 12th compartment exam be held?
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