CBSE Class 10 Exam New Rule 2026: In a significant move aimed at reducing exam-related stress, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that Class 10 board exams will be held twice a year starting from the 2026 academic session. This new structure aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) and offers students the opportunity to improve their performance within the same academic year.
CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026: Key Highlights
- First exam in February: Mandatory for all students.
- Second exam in May: Optional, for students wishing to improve scores.
- Results will be announced in April (first phase) and June (second phase).
- Students can opt to improve marks in up to three subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages).
- The policy is not applicable to internal assessments, which will be held only once per year.
Why This Change?
The move is part of a broader attempt to decrease academic pressure on students and modernize the evaluation system. Officials say it also mirrors the JEE Main format, where students get two opportunities to perform in a given year.
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj stated,
“It will be mandatory 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.”
Winter-Bound Schools Get Special Consideration
For winter-bound schools, flexibility will be provided. These students can choose to appear in either of the two phases.
Union Education Minister’s Statement
Last month, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed this major reform during the NDTV Education Conclave, highlighting it as a student-friendly initiative.
“This move aims to mitigate exam-related stress and is a key step towards implementing the NEP. By allowing students to appear for exams twice, they will have the flexibility to choose the better score.”
He further noted that the feedback from students and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive.
CBSE’s Approach and Stakeholder Feedback
CBSE had initially released a draft proposal in February 2025 and invited feedback from schools, educators, and other stakeholders. The final decision was taken after detailed consultations, with the objective of making board exams more flexible and less stressful.
Conclusion
The decision to conduct CBSE Class 10 board exams twice a year from 2026 marks a significant step toward exam reform in India. With a flexible structure, scope for improvement, and reduced stress levels, the move is expected to positively impact millions of students. As the education system evolves in line with NEP 2020, such changes are paving the way for a more student-centric approach to learning and assessment.
