CBSE: 10th board exams will be held twice a year, first phase in February-March; CBSE issued new rules..

CBSE: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a major reform in its examination system for class 10 students. As per the latest decision of the board, from 2026, CBSE will conduct class 10 board exams twice a year, giving students an additional opportunity to improve their performance.

Exams to be held in two phases, the first phase in February-March

As per the newly approved draft guidelines, class 10 board exams will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will be held between February and March, while the second phase is scheduled in May. Both exams will cover the entire syllabus, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of students' knowledge and skills.

The new exam framework categorizes subjects into seven groups: Language 1, Language 2, Elective 1, Elective 2, Elective 3, Regional and Foreign Languages ​​, and Remaining Subjects.

Practical and internal assessment only once a year

As per the new rules, board exams will be conducted twice a year, while practical and internal assessments will be conducted only once a year.

This new framework aims to provide more flexibility to students and reduce the pressure associated with a single annual exam. Students will get the opportunity to appear in both sessions and choose the session that best suits their preparation.

Marksheet to be issued after May exam.

The board has also decided that no separate certificate will be issued after the completion of the first exam in February-March. The final passing certificate and marksheet will be issued only after the May exam, the official said. This document will include the marks obtained in both the exam sessions (if the candidate has appeared in both) as well as the best of two marks for each subject.

Submit feedback by 9th

According to the official information, the draft norms will now be put in the public domain and stakeholders can give their feedback by March 9, after which the policy will be finalized. As per the draft norms, the first phase of the exam will be held from February 17 to March 6, while the second phase will be conducted from May 5 to 20.

First phase - February 17 to March 6

Second phase - May 5 to 20

"Both the exams will be conducted on full syllabus and candidates will be allotted the same exam centers in both the versions. The exam fee for both the exams will be increased and collected at the time of applying," a senior board official said.

"The first and second versions of the board exams will also serve as supplementary exams and no special exam will be conducted under any circumstances," the official added.

"Once the LoC is finalized, candidates will not be allowed to change their subjects. However, there is some flexibility in subject selection. If a candidate wishes to modify his/her subject choices, he/she can drop a subject in the first exam (February-March) and choose a different subject in the second exam (May). However, if a candidate completes all the subjects in the first exam, he/she will have to take the same set of subjects when he/she appears again in the second exam," the official said.

What is the system currently?

Currently, board exams for Classes 10 and 12 are held between February and March. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the CBSE had split the board exams into two sessions as a one-time measure. However, the board reverted to the traditional year-end exam format the following year.

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