CBSE to hold class 10 board exams twice a year from 2026: Here's what it means for students

CBSE Board Exam Twice a Year

In a major step toward reducing academic pressure and promoting a more student-focused education system, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce twice-a-year Class X board exams starting in 2026, as reported by the Times of India. This reform, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, will allow students to take the exams twice and retain their best score, offering them greater flexibility and opportunities to improve their performance.

The initiative seeks to address the long-standing issue of high-pressure, one-time examinations by offering students the flexibility to improve their performance without the anxiety of a single high-stakes test.

In addition to the exam reforms, CBSE will roll out its Global Curriculum for 260 foreign schools affiliated with the board from the academic year 2026-2027. The curriculum will integrate core Indian subjects, offering international students a blend of Indian educational values and global best practices.

To ensure a smooth transition, CBSE is also scaling up teacher training programs. These efforts are part of a broader push to modernize India’s education system and make it more inclusive, flexible, and aligned with global standards.

The draft schemes for these reforms will be open for public consultation starting next Monday, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback before the final implementation.