PSEB Class 10 Exams 2026: English Emerges Tougher Than Maths in Punjab Board

The Punjab School Education Board Class 10 examination trends for 2026 have revealed a surprising shift, with English emerging as the toughest subject for students, overtaking Mathematics in terms of failure numbers. According to recent analysis based on PSEB Class 10 results, significantly more students failed in English compared to Mathematics, sparking fresh discussions around language learning standards and teaching methods in schools across Punjab.

PSEB Class 10 Result 2026 Shows English as a Major Challenge

Data from the Punjab Board Class 10 examinations indicates that English recorded one of the highest failure counts among major subjects. Interestingly, Mathematics — traditionally considered the most difficult subject — saw comparatively fewer failures this year. Education experts believe better conceptual teaching and coaching support may have improved student performance in Maths. The overall PSEB Class 10 pass percentage this year stood at 94.52%.

Subject-wise Performance Trend in PSEB Class 10 Exams 2026

Elective language subjects such as Sanskrit and Urdu recorded exceptionally high pass rates with almost negligible failures.

Why English Became Tougher Than Maths in Punjab Board Exams?

Educationists believe several factors may have contributed to English becoming more difficult for students:

• Weak foundational language skills
• Limited English-speaking environment in rural areas
• Greater dependence on rote learning
• Less conceptual understanding of grammar and comprehension

Teachers have also previously highlighted that many government school students continue to struggle with English despite additional support classes.

Maths Performance Improves in PSEB Class 10 Exams

Mathematics performance showed noticeable improvement compared to earlier perceptions. Experts suggest this improvement may be linked to:

• Better coaching access
• Increased focus on conceptual learning
• Availability of online learning resources
• More practice through mock tests and PYQs

This trend contrasts with many other state boards where Mathematics still remains one of the highest-failure subjects.

Elective Languages Outperform Major Subjects

One of the most striking observations from the result data was the strong performance in elective languages. For example:

• Sanskrit recorded only a handful of failures
• Urdu elective also showed an extremely high pass percentage

This sharp difference between major and elective subjects has triggered debate about examination patterns and evaluation methods.

Growing Concern Over Language Learning Standards

The latest PSEB result trends have restarted discussions on improving English teaching standards in schools. Experts believe students now require:

1. Better reading comprehension practice
2. More spoken English exposure
3. Grammar-focused learning
4. Interactive classroom methods
5. Regular writing practice
6. Reduced dependence on memorisation

Several education experts argue that strengthening language skills early in school education is essential for competitive exams and higher studies.

Comparison With Other Boards

The changing trend in Punjab differs from some other state boards where Mathematics and Science continue to record the highest failure numbers. For example, Gujarat Board Class 10 data this year showed over one lakh students failing in Basic Mathematics. This highlights how academic challenges vary significantly across states and education systems.

PSEB Class 10 Exams 2026 FAQs