Every year, thousands of students across Jammu and Kashmir gear up for the JKBOSE 12th board exams, and one thing that’s always on their mind? The passing marks. It’s not just about aiming for high scores — it’s also about understanding the minimum you need to clear each subject. In 2025, JKBOSE has kept the pass criteria mostly the same, but there are a few things students should definitely know — like grace marks, theory vs practical marks, and subject-wise minimums. Whether you’re from the Science stream or studying Arts or Commerce, knowing the exact JKBOSE 12th passing marks can make or break your confidence.
Key Highlights 📌
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Jammu Kashmir Board of School Education |
| Exam Board | Jammu and Kashmir Board (JKBOSE) |
| Class | 12th (HSC) |
| Academic Year | 2024-2025 |
| Streams Covered | Science, Commerce, Arts |
| Minimum Passing Marks | 33% in each subject |
| Grace Marks Policy | Upto 6 marks total |
| Marking Scheme | Theory + Practical Split |
| Official Website | https://jkbose.nic.in |
JKBOSE Class 12 Passing Marks
| Subject | Total Marks | Passing Marks (General English: 33%; Elective Subjects: 36%) |
| General English | 100 | 33 |
| Elective Subject 1 | 100 | 36 (Theory + Practical combined) |
| Elective Subject 2 | 100 | 36 (Theory + Practical combined) |
| Elective Subject 3 | 100 | 36 (Theory + Practical combined) |
| Elective Subject 4 | 100 | 36 (Theory + Practical combined) |

JKBOSE 12th Passing Marks Subject Wise
| Subject Type | Full Marks | Theory Marks | Practical Marks | Passing Marks (General English: 33%; Elective Subjects: 36%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science (e.g., Physics) | 100 | 70 | 30 | 23 Theory + 10 Practical |
| Arts (e.g., History) | 100 | 100 | NA | 33 Marks |
| Commerce (e.g., Accounts) | 100 | 80 | 20 | 26 Theory + 7 Practical |
| Language Subjects | 100 | 100 | NA | 33 Marks |
| Computer Science | 100 | 60 | 40 | 20 Theory + 13 Practical |
Grace Marks Rule – The Hidden Lifesaver 🛟
JKBOSE does allow grace marks — but only to a limit. If a student is failing by a margin of 1 to 6 marks in one or two subjects, those marks can be added at the board’s discretion to help them pass.
| Criteria | Grace Policy |
|---|---|
| Subjects Eligible | One or Two |
| Total Grace Marks Allowed | Maximum 6 Marks |
| Automatically Applied | Yes, no need to apply separately |
| Can Grace Be Split? | Yes, across 2 subjects (e.g. 3+3) |
| Not Applicable When? | If failed in more than 2 subjects |
Real-life story? Sameer, a Commerce student, had 31 in Business Studies and 32 in English. Board added 2 grace marks to Business Studies, and he passed both. Saved by the bell, quite literally!
What Happens If You Fail One Subject? ❗
Here’s where things get tricky. Failing one subject isn’t the end of the road — JKBOSE allows students to appear for a compartment exam.
| No. of Failed Subjects | What Happens? | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eligible for Compartment | Apply for Supplementary |
| 2 | Grace Marks may apply | Depends on margin |
| 3 or more | Declared Fail | Repeat the year |
A school teacher from Jammu, Mrs. Nazia Malik, says, “A lot of students panic over one failed subject, but JKBOSE’s compartment policy gives a fair chance. They just need to act quickly when the re-exam forms come out.”
Total Marks, Divisions & Grades 🏅
Your overall marks determine your division — and yes, many colleges still look at this before giving you that admission letter.
| Division | Score Range | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| First Division | 60% and above | A |
| Second Division | 45% to 59% | B |
| Third Division | 33% to 44% | C |
| Fail | Below 33% | F |
A study by India Education Review showed that students in the First Division were 3x more likely to get into top-tier universities. So yes, those few extra marks do matter.
Internal vs External Marks – What Counts? 🧠
Students often ask — do internal assessments really help? Absolutely. In fact, sometimes your internal marks are what push you over the passing line.
| Component | Weightage | Role in Final Result |
|---|---|---|
| Theory Exam | 70-80% | Major deciding factor |
| Internal Assessment | 10-20% | Can boost marginal cases |
| Practical Exam | 20-30% | Mandatory for Science, CS |
| Attendance Record | Indirect | Required for eligibility |
Practical tip: Don’t ignore school tests or project work. In many schools, internal assessments are uploaded directly to JKBOSE’s system.
JKBOSE 12th Marking Scheme 2025 🗂️
The marking scheme isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends heavily on your stream and subject.
| Stream | Theory (%) | Practical (%) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science | 70 | 30 | Practical must be cleared |
| Commerce | 80 | 20 | Case studies matter a lot |
| Arts | 100 | NA | Purely theory-based |
| Vocational | 60 | 40 | Skill-based evaluation |
Experts from JKBOSE recommend reviewing the blueprint available on their official portal before starting prep. Helps in knowing what sections carry more weight.
Revaluation & Retotalling – When in Doubt? 🧐
Not happy with your score? You can apply for revaluation or retotalling. But only if you’ve scored at least 20% marks in that subject.
| Process | Time Window | Cost (Approx.) | Result Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retotalling | 10-15 days post result | Rs. 200/subject | Very minor |
| Revaluation | 15-20 days post result | Rs. 495/subject | Can increase/decrease |
A student named Faizan had his Biology paper re-evaluated last year and gained 6 extra marks, moving from 27 to 33. Passed, got into BSc Zoology, and now living the dream.
Want to make sure you’re not cutting it too close?
Keep checking updates directly from JKBOSE’s Official Website. All the latest circulars, grace policies, and compartment dates drop there first.

