CBSE to Hold Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year from 2026

In a major shift aimed at easing exam-related pressure on students, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved a new system allowing Class 10 students to appear for board exams twice in a year starting from 2026. This move is in line with recommendations made under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

According to the approved plan, the first round of exams will be held in February and will be mandatory for all students. A second round will be conducted in May, but this will be optional—intended for those who wish to improve their performance in specific subjects.

CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj announced that students will be allowed to reappear in up to three subjects from a list that includes science, mathematics, social science, and languages. The results of the February exams will be declared in April, while results for the May exams will be released in June.

Students in winter-bound regions will have the option to choose which phase they wish to appear in, offering flexibility based on local conditions. However, internal assessments—carried out by schools—will continue to be held just once in an academic year.

The proposal for this two-phase exam system was initially shared by the CBSE in February for public feedback, before receiving official approval this week.

The NEP 2020 strongly recommends reforming the current exam system to reduce its high-pressure nature and to move away from the “one chance” approach. It envisions a more student-friendly system where learners have more flexibility and multiple opportunities to do well, reducing the dependency on coaching and encouraging deeper understanding over rote learning.

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