CBSE Announces Twice-Annual Board Exams Starting 2026
CBSE New Rule: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a significant and important decision aimed at benefiting students. Starting in 2026, the 10th-grade board exams will now be conducted twice a year. This initiative intends to provide students with enhanced opportunities for improved performance and to mitigate exam-related stress.
Examinations in February and May
According to exam controller Sayan Bhardwaj of CBSE, the first exam will be held annually in February, while the second exam will be conducted in May. Results from the February exam will be declared in April, and the outcomes of the May exam will be released in June.
Compulsory First Exam, Optional Second Exam
Under the new regulations, attending the first exam will be mandatory for all students. The second exam will be entirely optional. Students who are not satisfied with their performance in the first exam can participate in the second exam to improve their scores.
Consistent Syllabus Across Both Exams
Both exams will cover the entire year’s syllabus, without any modifications or reductions. It’s been clarified that students must prepare for the same curriculum for both exams, aiming to provide them with a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Students participating in both exams will retain the same examination centers. Both exams will be held at the same location to avoid any inconvenience for the students.
Registration fees for both exams must be paid at the time of registration. Even if a student chooses not to appear in the second exam, the fee will be collected in full. This will allow students to plan their finances effectively.
Internal Assessment Conducted Annually
As per the new rules, internal assessments for the 10th-grade students will be conducted only once a year. This means that separate internal evaluations will not be conducted for the two exams.
Which Scores Will Be Considered Final?
If a student participates in both exams, the board will consider only the higher score as the final score. For example, if a student receives 85 marks in the February exam and 80 marks in the May exam, the 85 marks will be considered the final score.
CBSE’s Rationale for This Change
This change is part of the reforms being implemented under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). The objective is to eliminate the fear of failure among students, boost their confidence, and provide them with opportunities for improvement. The board believes that students should not be judged solely on their performance in a single exam, but rather given multiple chances to excel.
