Starting in 2026, Class 10 students will have the opportunity to sit for the CBSE board exams twice within one academic year. However, they must attend the first phase in February, as this is mandatory, officials announced on Wednesday. Students who wish to improve their scores can take the optional second phase in May, reported PTI.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has endorsed the guidelines for holding bi-annual board exams for Class 10, following the recommendations of the new National Education Policy (NEP).
鈥淭o further eliminate the 鈥渉igh stakes鈥 aspect of board exams, all students will be allowed to take board exams on up to two occasions during any given school year, one main examination and one for improvement, if desired,鈥 reads the official notice.
CBSE 10th Board: Who Can Appear In Phase 2 Exam?
As per the new policy, students who have passed the first board exam, which is mandatory, will be eligible to improve their performance in any of the three subjects out of science, mathematics, social science and languages. If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the phase 1 exam, he or she will not be allowed to take the phase 2 exam. Such students will be placed in 鈥楨ssential Repeat鈥 and can take the exam only next year in the main exam slated to be held in February 2026.
鈥淭he first phase will be conducted in February and second in May. The results for the two phases will be announced in April and June, respectively,鈥 CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said.
鈥淚t will be mandatory (for students) to appear for the first phase while the second phase will be optional. Students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects out of science, mathematics, social science and languages,鈥 he added.
According to the approved guidelines, Class 10 students from winter-bound schools will have the option to take the board exams in either phase. The internal assessment will be conducted only once per academic session. The CBSE had released the draft guidelines in February for public feedback.
When releasing the draft policy, CBSE Chairperson, Rahul Singh, stated that it aligns with the NEP 2020 recommendations. The new NEP suggests that to reduce the 鈥渉igh-stakes鈥 nature of board exams, students should be allowed to take the exams up to two times during any school year. The policy maintains the current exam structure while allowing students a second attempt to improve their scores.