Class 10 board exams to be conducted twice a year from 2026

This reform will allow students to take tests twice and retain their best scores. (Representational image)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced plans to conduct the Class 10 board examination two times a year from 2026, allowing students to take tests twice and retain their best scores.

This reform is consistent with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which promotes flexibility and a student-centered approach.

The Education Ministry, led by Dharmendra Pradhan, held a discussion with CBSE officials and heads of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), during which draft schemes set for public consultation on next Monday were thoroughly discussed.

Today the Hon'ble Minister of Education, Sh. Dharmendra Pradhan, chaired a high level meeting with Secretary, DoSEL, Secretary ER, MEA, heads of CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS along with representatives of global schools.The modalities of establishing and implementing the CBSE Global pic.twitter.com/jdJ94Q6ULF

CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) February 18, 2025

“Examination improvement and reform is a key step towards this. This reform will help mitigate exam-related stress and ensure a more balanced evaluation system," Pradhan said. According to him, this initiative would add to making learning stress-free for students.

The board considered multiple options, which include a semester system with exams in January-February and March-April or conducting a second examination in June with supplementary or improvement.

The CBSE will also introduce the CBSE Global Curriculum for 260 foreign schools affiliated with it from 2026-2027. The changes in curriculum aim to integrate core Indian subjects with international standards. This learning will be relevant for students across the world and will be deeply rooted in Indian values.