Explained: The new CBSE Class 10 board exam system and how it will work from 2026 – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a major reform aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially confirmed that Class 10 board exams will be held twice a year starting from 2026. As announced in a press release dated June 25, 2025, the first examination will be mandatory, while the second will serve as an optional opportunity for improvement.The decision is aimed at reducing exam stress, supporting flexible learning, and offering students the benefit of retaining the best score from either attempt. Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, CBSE, confirmed the move and detailed the scheme, stating, “This decision is in line with NEP-2020’s recommendation to reduce the ‘high-stakes’ nature of board examinations and to introduce greater flexibility and student choice.”A shift rooted in NEP-2020’s visionThis change is rooted in Paragraphs 4.37 and 4.38 of the NEP-2020, which advocate allowing students two opportunities per year to take board exams—one main and one optional improvement attempt. The policy aims to “eliminate the ‘high stakes’ aspect of Board Exams,” while also gradually introducing more modular, flexible assessments.Further suggestions in the NEP, such as subject-wise customisation (offering some subjects at standard and others at higher levels), and splitting exams into objective and descriptive components, signal the path ahead for CBSE’s broader reform agenda.Read Also:CBSE announces biannual Class 10 board exams starting 2026, best score to be retainedClear guidelines for eligibility and participationUnder the new structure:• All students must appear in the first (main) examination.• Only students who have appeared in at least three subjects in the first phase are eligible to sit for the second exam.• Students who miss three or more subjects in the first exam will be marked as “Essential Repeat”, and can only reappear the following year.• Up to three subjects from Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages can be chosen for improvement in the second phase.• Compartment candidates from the first phase may appear in the second exam under the Compartment category.Specific provisions for special categoriesThe policy also includes special accommodations:• Sports candidates whose competitions coincide with exam dates may sit for the second exam instead.• Winter-bound school students may choose between either phase for their exam attempts.• CWSN (Children With Special Needs) will continue to receive all previously available exam accommodations in both phases.Internal assessments to be conducted only onceInternal assessment, which contributes significantly to the overall evaluation of students, will be conducted once annually, prior to the first exam. This aims to simplify assessment processes and reduce workload on students and teachers.Timeline and schedule of examinations• The first board examination will commence from mid-February, following the existing pattern.• The second examination will be held in the month of May.• Results for the first examination will be released in April, and for the second in June.Structure of examination and curriculum coverageThere will be no change in syllabus or exam pattern for either phase. Both examinations will cover the entire syllabus for the academic year, and the scheme of studies will remain unchanged.Examination registration and result protocols• All students must be included in the List of Candidates (LOC) for the first examination.• A separate LOC will be required for the second exam; no new candidates can be added at that stage.• No subject change will be permitted between the two phases, except in special cases as per CBSE policy.The result of the first examination will be accessible on DigiLocker, and can be used for provisional Class XI admissions. The final passing certificate and merit certificate will be issued only after the second exam concludes.Post-result services and admission flexibilityPhotocopy requests, re-evaluation, and verification services will be available only after the second examination results are declared—for both phases. This ensures uniform access to result-related support.Additionally, students who do not pass in the first examination may be granted provisional admission into Class XI, with final confirmation based on their second exam result.Moving towards a low-pressure, high-flexibility modelThis dual-exam system represents a foundational step toward a low-stress, continuous learning model envisioned by NEP-2020. By offering students a second opportunity without penalty, CBSE aims to dismantle the long-standing pressure of a single, final exam and encourage year-round learning.Dr. Bhardwaj emphasised that this change is just the beginning of wider examination reforms, stating that “CBSE may gradually introduce modular exams and diversified question formats in alignment with NEP goals, ensuring assessment is more about core competencies and less about rote learning.”A reform with far-reaching implicationsWith the introduction of the biannual Class 10 board exam system from 2026, CBSE is setting a national precedent. This change could influence other state and national boards to rethink their assessment strategies and adopt more inclusive, stress-reducing methods.While students, parents, and educators will need time to adjust, the initiative holds the promise of creating a more supportive and equitable academic environment.