"The grading system for the class 10 board exams will come into effect from the 2010-11 academic session," Chief Minister Mayawati told reporters at a press conference here.

She also announced that from now on, students who clear five of the total six subjects would also be declared to have passed in the exams.

These decisions are intended to improve the education system, the chief minister said.

According to officials, a total of 3,337,679 candidates registered for the UP board class 10 exams this year, out of which 3,122,679 candidates appeared in the exams.