CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Board Exam 2026: Full Date Sheet, LOC Submission, Fees, Eligibility and Everything Students Must Know Before Applying

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has formally introduced a two-phase board examination system for Class 10 students. This decision was officially announced on June 25, 2025, and marks one of the most student-friendly policy changes the board has made in recent years.

Under this new system, Class 10 students who have already appeared in the first (main) board examination now get a structured second opportunity to improve their performance in up to three subjects. CBSE has positioned this initiative as a direct response to growing exam anxiety among students and the need to give learners a fair, low-pressure pathway to improve their academic records without the social and psychological cost of repeating an entire year.

It is important to note from the outset that this is not a supplementary or compartment exam in the traditional sense — it is a formally recognised second board examination sitting.

Also Read: What is the Passing Marks in CBSE Class 10? New 2026 Independent Passing Rules

CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Board Exam 2026 — Full Date Sheet

The Phase 2 board exam begins on May 15, 2026, and concludes on June 1, 2026. Below is the complete schedule as issued by CBSE.

May 15, 2026 (Friday) — Mathematics Standard and Basic (Paper Code: 041 / 241)

May 16, 2026 (Saturday) — Compartment Exams

May 18, 2026 (Monday) — Compartment Exams

May 19, 2026 (Tuesday) — Science (Paper Code: 086)

May 20, 2026 (Wednesday) — Compartment Exams

May 21, 2026 (Thursday) — Compartment Exams

May 22, 2026 (Friday) — Social Science (Paper Code: 087)

May 23, 2026 (Saturday) — Compartment Exams

May 25, 2026 (Monday) — Compartment Exams

May 26, 2026 (Tuesday) — Language Papers

May 28, 2026 (Thursday) — Compartment Exams

May 29, 2026 (Friday) — Compartment Exams

May 30, 2026 (Saturday) — Language Papers

June 1, 2026 (Monday) — Compartment Exams

Students planning to appear for improvement in Mathematics, Science, or Social Science should prioritise the dates above, as these are the primary improvement exam dates.

Who Is Eligible for CBSE Phase 2 Exam 2026? (Eligibility Criteria Explained)

Eligibility for the Phase 2 exam is specific and students must read these conditions carefully before submitting their LOC.

Students who are eligible include those who appeared in the first board examination and wish to improve marks, students placed in the compartment category, students appearing for their first or third chance compartment exam, students who passed Class 10 using a sixth subject replacement and now wish to improve, students under UFM (Unfair Means) Category 1 if separately deemed eligible, and sports quota students who have prior written approval from CBSE.

Students who are not eligible include those who were absent in three or more subjects in the first board exam, students placed under the Essential Repeat (ER) category, and students who wish to change their subject — except in specific exceptional cases pre-approved by CBSE.

Two additional rules deserve attention. First, no corrections to student details will be accepted after the LOC is submitted, so accuracy at the time of submission is critical. Second, facilities for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) will continue only for those students who were already registered under CWSN in the first examination — new registrations for this category are not accepted at the Phase 2 stage.

What Is LOC Submission and How Does It Work?

LOC stands for List of Candidates. This is the official mechanism through which schools register students for the Phase 2 board exam. CBSE has made LOC submission compulsory for every student wishing to appear in Phase 2 — no student can appear without their school completing this process on their behalf.

Because the Phase 2 system is being introduced for the first time at the Class 10 level, CBSE is prioritising smooth data collection. The board specifically wants to capture two data points from each school: the total number of students opting for Phase 2, and the number of subjects each student is choosing for improvement.

Schools are expected to complete the LOC submission and finalise fee payment immediately after Class 10 results for the main exam are declared. Students placed in the compartment category must submit their LOC afresh — their previous registration does not carry over automatically.

CBSE Phase 2 Exam Fee 2026 — Complete Breakdown

Fees are charged per subject and vary depending on the country in which the student's school is located. The following figures represent normal fee amounts.

For schools in India, the fee is ₹320 per subject, amounting to ₹960 for all three subjects. For schools in Nepal, the fee is ₹1,100 per subject or ₹3,300 for three subjects. For schools in other countries, the fee is ₹2,200 per subject, totalling ₹6,600 for three subjects.

In cases where the LOC is submitted after the official deadline, a late fee of ₹2,000 per candidate is charged in addition to the standard subject fees — this applies to all geographies equally.

Payment can be made online via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking for students in India. Students based in Nepal and other countries can use Debit Card, Credit Card, or SWIFT transfer.

Note: There is a small discrepancy in some official communications between ₹300 and ₹320 per subject for India-based students. Students should verify the exact amount on the official CBSE portal at the time of payment, as the portal figure will be the binding one.

Official CBSE Guidelines for School Principals

CBSE has issued a specific set of responsibilities to school principals to ensure the Phase 2 system runs efficiently and without confusion.

Principals are required to clearly communicate the eligibility rules and exam guidelines to both students and parents before the LOC window opens. They must advise students to opt for the Phase 2 exam only when there is a genuine need to improve marks — not as a default exercise. Principals must also walk students and parents through the LOC submission timeline and the fee payment process in detail. Additionally, schools must inform students that exam centres for Phase 2 may be limited in number and are not guaranteed to be geographically close to the student's home or school.

Also Read: CBSE Class 10 Result 2026 (OUT) LIVE Updates: Direct Link Here

Can Internal Assessment Marks Be Improved in Phase 2?

No. CBSE has made this unambiguously clear. Internal assessment marks from the first examination cannot be altered, reviewed, or improved through Phase 2. Only the theory examination component can be re-attempted. Students hoping for an improvement in practicals or internal assessments should be advised accordingly before they opt for Phase 2.

CBSE Phase 2 Results 2026 — What to Expect

Once the Phase 2 examinations conclude, CBSE will publish results on its official website. Students can check their scores using their roll number and school details. The Phase 2 result will determine final pass or compartment status for affected students and will help them plan the next academic steps accordingly.

CBSE advises students to download and save a copy of their Phase 2 results immediately upon declaration, as this document will be required for admissions, verifications, and institutional records going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Board Exam 2026? It is a second board examination opportunity for Class 10 students, allowing them to re-appear in up to three subjects to improve their scores. It was introduced as part of CBSE's new two-phase board exam policy announced in June 2025.

When does the CBSE Phase 2 Exam 2026 start and end? The exam runs from May 15, 2026 to June 1, 2026. Mathematics is on May 15, Science is on May 19, and Social Science is on May 22.

Who is not eligible for CBSE Phase 2 Exam 2026? Students absent in three or more subjects in the main exam, and students under the Essential Repeat (ER) category, are not eligible.

How many subjects can I improve in CBSE Phase 2? A maximum of three subjects. You cannot change your subject — you can only re-appear in subjects you already attempted.

What is the CBSE Phase 2 exam fee for students in India? ₹320 per subject, or ₹960 if opting for all three subjects. A late fee of ₹2,000 per candidate applies if the LOC deadline is missed.

Can I improve my internal assessment marks in CBSE Phase 2? No. Internal assessment marks are final and cannot be improved through Phase 2.

What is LOC submission in CBSE? LOC stands for List of Candidates. It is the official school-level registration process through which students are enrolled for the Phase 2 exam. No student can appear without LOC submission.

Will my Phase 2 exam centre be near my home? Not necessarily. CBSE has warned that exam centres may be limited and may not always be close to the student's location.

What happens if I miss the LOC submission deadline? A late fee of ₹2,000 per candidate will be charged in addition to the normal per-subject fee.

Is the CBSE Phase 2 exam available for all subjects? Improvement is available in Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and Language papers. Internal assessments are excluded.