CBSE X Board Exams Twice a Year from 2025-2026

CBSE X board exams twice a year from 2026

Important updates;

Friends, the policy of two examinations is commencing from the Academic Year 2025-2026. It means from this year. Friends, let’s check the important notifications: 

General Conditions: 

• It is mandatory for all the students to appear in the first board examination. 
• All past and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any of the three subjects out of science mathematics social science and languages. 
• If a student has not appeared in 3 or more subjects in first examination then he or she will not be allowed to appear in the second examinations. Students will be placed in the essential repeat category and can take the examination only next year in the main examinations in the month of February next year. 
• For students whose result in the first examination is compartment such a students will be allowed to appear in second examination under compartment category. 
• Additional subjects will not be permitted after passing class 10th students will not be allowed in a stand alone subjects. 

Conduct of Internal Assessment: 

• Internal assessment will be conducted only once before the main examinations. 

Scheme of the examinations: 

• Main/First Examinations will begin from Mid February as conducted now. 
• Second Examinations will be conducted in the Month of May. 

Eligibility Criteria for appearing in the Examination: 

First examination will be main examinations the eligibility to appear in the first examination will be:

• Fresh students of class 10th 
• Second chance compartment 
• Essential repeat of previous year 
• Improvement examinations 

The Eligibility to appear in the Second Examination is:

• Improvement category up to three main subjects 
• First or third chance compartment 
• Compartment + improvement 
• Improvement for the subjects passed by the replacement of the subject. 

Syllabus for Examination: 

• Both the examinations will be conducted on the full syllabus 
• The scheme of studies and scheme of examination will be remain as it is.

LOC submission for the Examinations:

(LOC - List of Candidates, is the official form submitted by schools to CBSE that contains the details of students who will appear in the board exams)

• Filling of LOC and appearing in the Main/First Examination will be compulsory 
• LOC for the second Examinations will be filled in separately. However, no new names will be added to the yellow sea of the second examinations. 

Scheme for Special Category: 

Sports students will be allowed to appear in second examinations in the subject. whose examinations have coincides/match with their sports event.

Result Declaration: 

• Result of First Examinations will be declared in Month of April. 
• Result of Second Examinations will be declared in Month of June. 
• Performance of main examinations will be made available in diesel locker.
• This could be used for admission to class 11th if the student does not wish to appear in second examinations for improvement. Passing Document will be issued to all the students after the results of 2nd Examinations. 
• Merit certificate will also be used only after 2nd Examinations.

Post results facilities (Photocopy, verification, and re-valuation):

• Facilities of photocopy verification and revolution will be available only after declaration of the results of 2nd examination.

Admission in class 11th: 

• Students not qualified in the main examinations will be allowed provisional admission in class 11th and based on the result of the second examination there admission will be confirmed. 

CBSE notification at a Glance:

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on approved the norms for conducting board exams twice a year for Class 10, a move which is recommended in the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Let's see what are the important changes are accepted by CBSE:

What is Changing?

CBSE will conduct Class 10 board exams twice annually, starting with the February phase and followed by an optional May phase.

February exam is mandatory for all students; the May exam is optional, allowing students to improve their scores.

Best of both scores will be taken as final:

Exam Calendar (Tentative)

Phase Exam Period Results Declared

Phase; 1 Feb 17 – Mar 6 April 20

Phase; 2 May 5 – May 20 June 30

Internal assessments will remain once per year, before the February exam.

Objectives & Benefits:

Reduce exam stress: Students get an extra opportunity instead of waiting a full year.

Supportive of NEP‑2020: This reform is aligned with India’s New Education Policy aiming for flexible, student-centric evaluation.

Inclusive provisions: 

Sportspersons, winter-bound school students, and Children with Special Needs (CWSN) can choose the more suitable exam.

Reactions & Concerns: 

Educators largely appreciate the reduced pressure, though some worry about increased academic load due to preparation cycles.

Mixed responses from students:

Positives: Flexibility, more chances to score well.

Negatives: Some fear continuous stress or coaching pressure via mock exams.

Let's hope for the best.

Friends,  if you have any doubts, please contact us.

CBSE Notification Download here