The term matriculation certificate may sound old-fashioned. It was widely used in earlier times when completing the matriculate level of education was considered the minimum qualification for most people. As time evolved, the syllabus, subjects, and even perceptions changed. Today, it is commonly referred to as the Class 10th certificate. Despite the change in terminology, its importance remains significant, and students work hard to successfully pass this level. In this blog, we have discussed the matriculation certificate in detail, its benefits, purpose, issuing authorities, grading system, and more.
This Blog Includes:
- What is a Matriculation Certificate?
- Role of Class 10th Certificate in India
- Who Issues a Matriculation Certificate in India?
- State Educational Boards in India That Issue Matriculation Certificates
- Grading System at Matriculation Level in Central Educational Boards
- What are the Subjects at the Matriculation Level?
- FAQs
What is a Matriculation Certificate?
A matriculation certificate is a certificate of proof awarded to students who have successfully cleared their Class 10 or secondary examination. It is also known as the Secondary School Certificate althought not in every board. The certificate consists of student details, school details, academic subjects, and the grades or marks obtained. It serves as proof that the student has passed the secondary school level of education under recognized boards such as CBSE, ICSE, or state boards.
Role of Class 10th Certificate in India
The Class 10th certificate, also known as the Matriculation Certificate, plays an important role in a student’s academic and professional journey. Below, we have presented some of those roles as brief pointers.
Foundation for Higher Education: It serves as a necessary document for admission to higher secondary education (Class 11). Students must pass Class 10 to choose academic streams like Science, Commerce, or Arts.
Minimum Educational Requirement for Jobs: Many jobs in the government and private sectors in India require a minimum qualification of Class 10. This requirement is especially relevant for entry-level positions in railways, defense, public services, and clerical roles.
Proof of Date of Birth and Identity: The matriculation certificate is often used as an official document to confirm a person’s date of birth (although use of birth certificate is much more common now), identity, and educational background. It is necessary when applying for a passport, driving license, PAN card, and other legal documents.
Eligibility for Competitive Exams: Various national and state-level competitive exams, such as SSC, NDA, and some railway recruitment tests, consider Class 10 as the minimum qualification.
Baseline for Vocational and Skill-Based Training: Students who do not follow traditional academic paths can use their Class 10th certificate to enter vocational courses, polytechnic diplomas, or skill development programs under initiatives like Skill India.
Who Issues a Matriculation Certificate in India?
In India, a matriculation certificate is issued by the respective central and regional educational boards, under which students are enrolled. The well-known central/all-India boards are tabulated as follows.
| Educational Boards | Full-Form |
| CBSE | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| CISCE | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations |
Also Read: Diploma in Financial Accounting
State Educational Boards in India That Issue Matriculation Certificates
Apart from the above-mentioned boards in our country, most Indian states have their own education boards that conduct state-level examinations and issue matriculation certificates under the name of their respective state boards. These states and their education boards are:
| S.No. | States | State Education Board |
| 1 | Goa | Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education |
| 2 | Rajasthan | Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan |
| 3 | Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education |
| 4 | Odisha | Board of Secondary Education Odisha |
| 5 | Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Pradesh Board Of School Education |
| 6 | Meghalaya | Meghalaya Board Of School Education |
| 7 | Mizoram | Mizoram Board of School Education |
| 8 | Tripura | Tripura Board Of Secondary Education |
| 9 | Maharashtra | Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education |
| 10 | Gujarat | Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board |
| 11 | Telangana | Telangana State Board of Secondary Education |
| 12 | Jharkhand | Jharkhand Academic Council |
| 13 | Assam | Assam Higher Secondary Education Council |
| 14 | Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand Board of School Education |
| 15 | Kerala | Kerala Board Of Public Examinations |
| 16 | Uttar Pradesh | Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad |
| 17 | Manipur | Board of Secondary Education, Manipur |
| 18 | Karnataka | Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board |
| 19 | Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education |
| 20 | Punjab | Punjab School Education Board |
| 21 | Nagaland | Nagaland Board of School Education |
| 22 | Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education |
| 23 | Bihar | Bihar School Examination Board |
| 24 | West Bengal | West Bengal Board of Secondary Education |
| 25 | Madhya Pradesh | Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education |
| 26 | Haryana | Haryana Board of School Education |
| 27 | Andhra Pradesh | Board of Secondary Education of Andhra Pradesh |
Also Read: Application for Bonafide Certificate: Format and Samples
Grading System at Matriculation Level in Central Educational Boards
Let us now understand the different grading systems adopted by various boards for evaluating students through the matriculation certificate.
CBSE
Tabulated below is the grading system used by CBSE via a matriculation certificate.
| Grade | Marks Range | Grade Point |
| A1 | 91–100 | 10 |
| A2 | 81–90 | 9 |
| B1 | 71–80 | 8 |
| B2 | 61–70 | 7 |
| C1 | 51–60 | 6 |
| C2 | 41–50 | 5 |
| D | 33–40 | 4 |
| E | 32 & below | Fail |
CISCE
Tabulated below is the grading system used by CISCE via a matriculation certificate.
For External Examination
| Grades | Description |
| 1 and 2 | Very Good |
| 3, 4, and 5 | Credit |
| 6 and 7 | Pass |
| 8 and 9 | Fail |
For Internal Assessment/Examination
| Grades | Descriptions |
| A | Very Good |
| B | Good |
| C | Satisfactory |
| D | Fair |
| E | Fail |
What are the Subjects at the Matriculation Level?
There are various subjects that need to be studied to obtain a matriculation certificate. The subjects listed below are commonly included under both the CBSE and ICSE boards.
CBSE Subjects
The compulsory and optional subjects that students need to study to obtain a matriculation certificate from the CBSE board are listed below:
Compulsory Subjects
- Science
- Mathematics
- Social Science
- Language 1
- Language 2
Optional Subjects
- Skill Subjects
- Language 3
Internal Assessment Subjects
- Health and Physical Education
- Art Education
CISCE Subjects
The subjects required to obtain a matriculation certificate from the ICSE board are grouped into three categories, as shown below:
Group-I (Compulsory Subjects)
- English
- Second Language (Indian Language or Modern Foreign Language)
- History, Civics, and Geography
Group-II (Any 2 Subjects to be Chosen)
- Economics
- Environmental Science
- Mathematics
- Modern Foreign Language
- Science
- Technical Drawing
- Agricultural Science
- Classical Language
- Commercial Studies
- Computer Science
Group-III (Any One Subject to be Chosen)
- Art
- Commercial Applications
- Computer Applications
- Cookery
- Fashion Designing
- Home Science
- Modern Foreign Language
- Performing Arts
- Physical Education
- Technical Drawing Applications
- Yoga
- Economic Applications
- Environmental Applications
Also Read: Medium of Instruction Certificate
FAQs
Ans. A matriculation certificate is an official document awarded to students who have completed their Class 10 (10th grade) examinations under a recognized education board in India.
Ans. Matriculation” is a historical term that originally referred to fulfilling the requirements for admission to a university or college. In the Indian context, it signifies the successful completion of secondary school education (Class 10).
Ans. In India, matriculation refers specifically to the completion of Class 10, also known as the 10th Board examination. The certificate awarded upon passing this level is commonly called the matriculation certificate.
Ans. In academic terms, matriculation may refer to the formal process of enrolling in an institution after meeting eligibility criteria. For Class 10 students in India, matriculation is done by appearing for and passing board-conducted exams by CBSE, ICSE, or state boards.
Ans. Not exactly. A marksheet shows subject-wise grades or marks obtained in the Class 10 examination. It officially confirms that a student has passed the exam. In many cases, boards issue only a marksheet. For most purposes, the marksheet is accepted as valid proof of passing Class 10.
Related Reads
Hope that this blog has cleared all your doubts related to a matriculation certificate. Selecting the right stream after your class 10th and 12th plays a pivotal role in shaping your career. Get in touch with our Leverage Edu experts who will guide you in choosing the right stream and help pave the way for your career success. Sign up for a free session today!
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