Chennai: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for Class 10 and Class 12 students to have at least 75 per cent attendance to be eligible to appear for the board examinations.

In a circular to schools, the CBSE said the revised rule applies to the total number of working days in an academic year, and students falling short of the minimum attendance should not be permitted to take the public examinations.

Schools have been directed to inform students and parents about the requirement and to issue timely alerts through mobile messages and emails if attendance levels drop.

The circular also states that exemptions may be considered in cases such as participation in sports events or prolonged medical treatment, subject to submission of relevant documents and approval from the board.