CBSE rolls out two-board exam system for Class 10 from 2026

Starting 2026, Class 10 students will take board exams twice a year, with an option to improve scores and reduce academic stress.

In a landmark reform set to reshape secondary education in India, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on June 25 announced a two-term board examination system for Class 10, effective from the academic year 2026.

The overhaul—billed as a student-centric move—will divide the academic year into two equal terms, with board exams scheduled in February and May. Results will be declared by the first week of June, CBSE said.

The initiative is aimed at reducing exam stress, offering students a second shot at improving their scores, and making the assessment process more holistic. This marks the first time in decades that such a structural change has been introduced at the board level.

Under the new format, all students will be required to appear in the February exam. Those who pass will have the option to reappear in up to three subjects—across science, mathematics, social science, and languages—in the May cycle to improve their scores. They may also choose to appear in both exams from the start and later "opt out" of retaking specific subjects.

However, students who miss three or more subjects in the first round will not be allowed to sit for the second term. These students will be placed under the "Essential Repeat" category and will have to reappear the following year. Those placed in the "Compartment" category in the February session will be allowed to take the second exam under the same category.

Notably, students will not be permitted to add new subjects during the retest cycle. Once Class 10 is cleared, stand-alone subject exams will continue to be available.

The board emphasized that the exam format, syllabus, and question paper patterns will remain unchanged.

With over 30 lakh students expected to be impacted by this move annually, the reform signals a decisive shift toward more flexible, inclusive, and performance-enhancing board assessments in India’s schooling system.