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CBSE Board Exams 2026: Class 10 to Have Two Attempts Annually Under NEP Reform
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major reform for Class 10 students starting from the academic session 2026. Students will now appear for two board examinations in one academic year instead of one. This decision aims to reduce academic pressure and provide students with a second chance to improve their performance.
Key Highlights of the Dual Exam System
Two Exams Each Year:
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- The first board exam will be conducted in February.
- The second board exam will be held in May.
Students will appear in both exams, but only the best score of the two will be considered for the final result.
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CBSE Examination Controller Rahul Singh confirmed that this change will be implemented for Class 10 students from 2026 onwards. Schools will have to align their academic calendars accordingly.
Purpose of the Reform
The move is in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which proposes multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate learning outcomes. The dual exam system will allow students to:
- Reduce stress by not relying on a single exam
- Improve scores in subjects where they underperform
Important Details You Should Know
Students Can Retake Up to 3 Subjects
- Students can appear for improvement in maximum 3 subjects in the second exam.
- The first exam will be based on complete syllabus and will follow the board exam format.
- The second exam will also follow the same pattern and syllabus.
Both Exams Will Follow Uniform Syllabus
- Both the February and May board exams will be based on the full year syllabus.
- There will be no separate pattern or reduction in either exam.
Will This Affect All Students Equally?
- Yes, the reform will be applicable to all Class 10 students under CBSE.
- Students must appear for the first exam.
- The second exam is optional and only for improvement.
Key Points in Q&A Format
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many times can a student appear for Class 10 board exam? | Twice in a year from 2026. |
| Are both exams compulsory? | The first exam is compulsory; the second is optional. |
| Can students appear for all subjects again in May? | No, only up to 3 subjects for improvement. |
| Will internal assessments or practicals be repeated? | No, only written theory exams can be retaken. |
| What happens if a student fails in 3 or more subjects? | No second exam attempt in May; they must reappear next year. |
Special Cases
- Sports Category Students: Those who miss exams due to sports events can appear in May.
- Winter-bound School Students: Can choose either exam based on school calendar.
- Special Needs Students: Will get full support in both exams.
Result Declaration and Admission to Class 11
- Results of the first board exam will be declared by April.
- Students will be granted provisional admission to Class 11.
- If they appear in the second exam, their admission will be confirmed based on best score.
- Second exam results will be declared by June 30.
Rules for Compartment and Failures
- Students failing in three or more subjects will not be eligible for the May exam.
- These students will be classified under compartment category and must reappear in the next year’s first exam.
Does This Apply to Vocational and Skill Subjects?
- Yes, the rules also apply to vocational and skill stream students.
- However, practical exams cannot be retaken.
CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams from 2026 – Top 10 FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What major change has CBSE announced for Class 10 from 2026? | CBSE will conduct two board exams annually — one in February and one in May — for Class 10 students. |
| 2. Will both exams have the same syllabus and exam scheme? | Yes, both exams will follow the same annual syllabus, structure, and marking scheme. |
| 3. Can a student appear in both board exams? | All students must appear in the February exam. They can then choose to improve up to three subjects in the May exam. |
| 4. What happens if a student fails in one or more subjects? | Students failing in up to two subjects can reappear for those in the second exam. Those failing in three or more will have to wait until the next academic year. |
| 5. Can students reappear for internal assessments or practical exams? | No. Only the written theory paper can be retaken. Internals and practicals will not be repeated. |
| 6. What if a student has a sports event or exam clash during the board exam? | Students under the sports category can appear in the second exam if their board exam clashes with official sports events. |
| 7. What is the admission process for Class 11 after the first exam? | Provisional admissions will be allowed after the February exam. Final confirmation depends on the June results (if reappeared). |
| 8. When will results be declared for both exams? | The first exam results will be declared in April, and the second exam results by 30th June. |
| 9. Will students of winter-bound schools have any special options? | Yes. Students from winter-closed schools can choose either of the two exams to appear in. |
| 10. Are students with special needs allowed to appear in the second exam? | Yes. All facilities and accommodations provided in the first exam will also be extended to them in the second attempt. |
CBSE’s new dual-exam system for Class 10 aims to reduce stress and offer flexibility. With full syllabus coverage in both exams, and a limit of 3 subjects for improvement, the move is expected to provide relief and better academic outcomes. Schools, students, and parents are advised to plan the academic year keeping both exam schedules in mind.
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CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams from 2026 – Extended FAQ (Set 2)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 11. Will both board exam attempts be considered final? | No. The better score among the two attempts (February and May) in each subject will be considered for the final result. |
| 12. Can students improve marks in all subjects in the second exam? | No. Students are allowed to reappear in a maximum of three subjects only in the second exam. |
| 13. What if a student doesn’t appear in the second exam after failing? | If a student is not eligible or misses the second exam, they will have to wait for the next session to retake the subject. |
| 14. How does this change impact schools and teaching plans? | Schools must plan academic calendars accordingly and ensure that syllabus completion happens before February each year. |
| 15. Is the second exam optional for all students? | Yes. The second exam in May is only for improvement or reappearance and is not mandatory for all. |
| 16. Will the syllabus be reduced due to two exams? | No. The full annual syllabus will remain unchanged for both February and May attempts. |
| 17. Will marksheets reflect both attempts? | No. Only the best score out of the two attempts in each subject will appear in the final mark sheet. |
| 18. How will this affect students under the Compartment category? | Students who fail in more than 2 subjects in February will be put in Compartment status and must reappear the next year. |
| 19. How will winter-bound schools manage the two-exam system? | Such schools can opt for either of the two exams, depending on weather and academic schedule. |
| 20. Are students from skill or vocational streams also covered under this scheme? | Yes. The same rule applies, but improvement is allowed only in the written component, not practicals or internal exams. |
This reform marks a major shift in CBSE’s evaluation approach and aligns closely with the NEP 2020’s student-centric vision.
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