Starting from the academic year 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will roll out a new format for Class 10 board exams, allowing students to appear for them twice in a year, according to official statements shared with PTI. The move is part of a broader initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) to reduce exam-related stress and provide students with more flexibility.
Two Exam Phases: Mandatory February and Optional May Attempt
As per the new structure, the first exam will be held in February and will be compulsory for all students. The second exam in May will be optional, designed for those who wish to improve their performance in selected subjects.
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj confirmed that students will be allowed to reappear in any three subjects from science, mathematics, social science, and languages. He added that the results for the first phase will be declared in April, while the second phase results will come out in June.
Flexibility for Winter-Bound Schools
In an exception for winter-bound schools, CBSE has stated that students will be permitted to appear in either of the two exam phases, providing greater convenience for schools operating in challenging climatic regions.
Internal Assessment Remains Unchanged
Despite the board exam revamp, internal assessments will continue to be held once per academic session, maintaining the current practice for internal evaluation.
A Step Towards Stress-Free Learning
The decision follows the final approval of draft norms released in February, where feedback was invited from schools, teachers, and stakeholders. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reiterated last month at the NDTV Education Conclave that this reform is aimed at mitigating exam pressure and is inspired by formats like JEE Main, where students have multiple attempts.
He noted that initial feedback suggests students are receptive and appreciative of the change, as it offers them a fair chance to improve their scores without waiting an entire year.
This reform marks a significant step toward making the Indian education system more student-friendly and aligned with the evolving needs of learners.
