CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Big Reforms! Twice-a-Year final examination system from 2026

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has brought about significant shifts in school curriculum. As suggested by the NEP 2020, the Government of India has introduced a draft suggesting some changes to the Class 10 Board Examination system. A twice a year system will be implemented in the board exam from 2026, in an attempt to reduce stress and improve performance of the Class 10 Board appearing students .

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CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Twice-a-year System

CBSE has introduced a twice-a-year system, as per the suggestions of NEP 2020 which strives to make board exams less stressful, and competency-based thus reducing the reliance on tuitions and coaching classes.

The key objectives of the system are –

• Reduce exam stress and pressure by allowing flexibility and time to prepare and improve scores without the fear of failure.
• Enhancing conceptual understanding by discouraging rote learning.
• Flexibility for students as they can take board exams in multiple subjects of their interest,
• Reduce exam duration, introduce subject groupings, and conduct certain exams multiple times to accommodate student choices.
• Results and performance records will be available on DigiLocker, thus integrating technology.

Implementation Plan

The board exam changes will be implemented in the following manner –

• The board exams will be conducted in two phases every year.
• The first attempt (also, the main exam) will be conducted from mid-February to early March while the second attempt (or the improvement/ supplementary exam) will be conducted in the month of May.
• The duration of the exam will be –
  • First exam will be for a period of 34 days (tentative dates – 17 Feb – 6 Mar 2026).
  • Second exam will be for a period of 16 days (tentative dates – 5 May – 20 May 2026).
• The total subjects offered are 84.

Exam Pattern of CBSE Class 10 Board Exam

• The exams will be conducted in a mixed format i.e. it will include Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Descriptive Questions to test for conceptual clarity and analytical skills.
• Subjects such as Mathematics will be offered at two levels:
  • Standard level for regular students.
  • Advanced level for students interested in higher-level studies in that subject.

Note –

1. Students will not have the option to choose exam dates. Instead, CBSE will allocate them based on a set formula.
2. Practical Exams will be conducted only once per year.

Eligibility Criteria

1. To pass the exam, a student must pass all 5 core subjects.
2. If a student fails 1-5 subjects in the first attempt, they will be placed under the “Improvement Category” and can retake those exams in the second attempt.
3. However, the students who pass in sixth or seventh subjects but fail a core subject can only reattempt the failed subject within the next two attempts.
4. For the students who take only one attempt of May, no further opportunities will be given. However, they can appear in the first attempt of the following year but the syllabus they will be tested on will remain the same.

Exam Procedure

1. Exam centres will be fixed for both attempts, to ensure continuity.
2. Schools will be evaluated for their eligibility as examination centres, so self-exam centers will be allowed for schools.
3. Scores from both attempts will be displayed, including grades for internal assessment and practical exams. However, the best score from both attempts will be highlighted.

Note – Exam fees will be charged for both exams at the time of first-time registration. It is non-refundable.

Post Exam Evaluation

1. The results will be displayed twice –
   • The first attempt (Main Exam) results will be out by April 20, 2026, available on the Digilocker and can be immediately used for higher admission.
   • The second attempt (Improvement Exam) results will be out by June 30, 2026.

Note – Final passing certificates will only be issued after the second attempt results

Important links

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