CBSE Class 10 Board Exams to Be Held Twice a Year from 2026; First Attempt Mandatory, Second Optional

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major change in the Class 10 board examination structure. Beginning in 2026, students will have the opportunity to appear for the exams twice in a single academic year. The first exam will be compulsory for all students and held in February, while the second, scheduled for May, will be optional and available to those who wish to improve their scores or need to reappear in specific subjects.

This move is part of the implementation of recommendations under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to reduce the pressure of high-stakes testing and promote a more flexible, student-friendly assessment system.

Key Guidelines for Two-Exam Policy

All Class 10 students will be required to appear for the first board exam in February. Students who pass all subjects may improve in up to three subjects, limited to Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages, in the second exam in May. Students who fail to appear for three or more subjects in the first exam will not be allowed to take the second exam and will be placed under the “Essential Repeat” category, requiring them to reappear in the next academic year.

Students whose result in the first exam is declared as “Compartment” will be allowed to appear in the second exam under the Compartment category.

Special Provisions for Certain Students

CBSE has also made special provisions for students facing unique circumstances. Sportspersons whose competitions clash with the exam schedule, students from winter-bound schools, and children with special needs may be allowed to consider the May exam as their main attempt, depending on their situation.

Internal Assessment

Internal assessment will be conducted only once during the academic year, prior to the first exam. Both the first and second board exams will be based on the full syllabus prescribed for the year, and the exam scheme will remain unchanged. This ensures that the same standard of testing applies regardless of which attempt a student uses.

Result Declaration 

Results of the first exam will be declared in April, and those of the second exam in June. The better of the two scores will be retained. Performance in the first exam will be made available through DigiLocker, allowing students to use it for provisional admission into Class 11 if they choose not to sit for the second exam. Final passing documents will be issued only after the second exam, and merit certificates will be given at that time as well.

Re-evaluation and Class 11 Admissions

CBSE has stated that the post result facilities such as obtaining photocopies of answer sheets, verification of marks, and re-evaluation, will be available only after the second exam results are released. Students who do not qualify in the main exam can still take provisional admission in Class 11, and their admission can be confirmed based on their performance in the second exam.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised CBSE’s decision to conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year, describing it as a “much-needed step” that aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In a post on X, he wrote, “Laudable and a much-needed step. This will reduce exam stress, provide more flexibility and foster a joyful learning environment. A key recommendation of NEP 2020, twice-a-year exams is a student-centric approach and also aligns with global education practices.”