CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams from 2026: Check Key Changes, and Updates

CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams from 2026: Starting from 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce a two-exam policy for Class 10 board exams, allowing students to appear for the exams twice in an academic year.

The first exam will be conducted in February-March, while the second attempt (reassessment) will be held in May-June.

This system aims to provide students with multiple opportunities to improve their scores, thereby reducing exam stress and enhancing overall performance.

The best score from the two attempts will be considered for the final result. However, the CBSE class 10 syllabus and exam pattern will remain the same, ensuring consistency in assessment.

Internal and practical assessments will be conducted only once per year. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on a more flexible and student-friendly evaluation process while maintaining academic rigor.

Key Changes in CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026

The Two-Exam Policy introduces several modifications to the current examination system. Here are the key highlights:

1. Exam Schedule and Structure

• The first board exam will be conducted in February-March and the second board exam (reassessment) in May-June.
  
  

• Students will have the opportunity to improve their marks by appearing for the second exam if needed.
  
  

• The best marks from the two attempts will be considered for the final result.
  
  

2. Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• The full syllabus will be covered in both board exams.

• There will be no syllabus reduction or bifurcation of the curriculum.

• The question paper pattern will remain similar to the current format, ensuring consistency in assessment.

3. Subject Grouping and Exam Days

The subjects will be categorized into three groups for better scheduling:

• Core Subjects: Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will have fixed exam dates similar to the existing system.

• Regional and Foreign Languages: All exams in this category will be conducted on a single day to streamline the process.

• Elective Subjects: Certain subjects, like Data Science and vocational courses, will be offered multiple times (2-3 times) to provide students with greater flexibility.

4. Multiple Exam Opportunities

• Some subjects, such as Data Science and vocational courses, will be conducted multiple times during the board exam period.

• Students will not be allowed to choose their exam dates; CBSE will assign dates based on a predefined formula and student subject combinations.

5. Practical and Internal Assessment

• Practical and internal assessments will be conducted only once per academic year, even if a student appears for both board exams.

6. Result Policy and Marking System

• Marks from the first and second board exams will be available on DigiLocker.

• If a student performs well in the first exam and decides not to appear for the second, their first-exam marks will be considered final.

• The final Mark Sheet cum Passing Certificate will include:

• Marks obtained in both board exams.

• Practical and internal assessment scores.
  
  The best of the two scores will be highlighted for each subject

• Students who fail one or more subjects in the first board exam will be placed under the Improvement Category and allowed to retake the exam in the second phase

• A Merit Certificate will be awarded based on the final results after the second examination.

Exam Grouping and Scheduling for CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026

Under the new two-exam policy, CBSE has introduced a structured grouping and scheduling system for Class 10 board exams. This ensures a balanced and efficient examination process while maintaining flexibility for students. The exams will be conducted in two phases:

1. First Exam (Main Board Exam) – February-March

2. Second Exam (Reassessment) – May-June
   
   

Subject Grouping

CBSE has categorized the subjects into three main groups to streamline the examination schedule:

• Core Subjects: Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will be conducted on fixed dates, similar to the current system.

• Regional and Foreign Languages: All language exams will be scheduled on a single day to simplify the process.

• Elective Subjects: Vocational and skill-based subjects, such as Data Science, will be conducted 2 to 3 times, allowing students flexibility in selecting their exam attempts. However, CBSE will assign exam dates based on a predefined formula, and students will not have the option to choose their dates.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026: Indicative Exam Schedule

Below is the tentative schedule for the CBSE Class 10 board exams under the new Two-Exam Policy:

First Exam (Main Board Exam) - Class 10

The First Exam for CBSE Class 10 in 2026 will be the beginning of the Two-Exam Policy. This new policy is aimed at providing students with more flexibility and multiple chances to complete their exams. The Main Board Exam will begin in February 2026 and cover the core subjects.

Second Exam (Reassessment) - Class 10

The Second Exam for CBSE Class 10 in 2026 will be a Reassessment opportunity for students who may want to improve their performance or for those who did not perform well in the First Exam. This reassessment will take place later in the year, following the completion of the First Exam.