The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced new flexibility for Class 10 students appearing for the 2026 board examinations. Students participating in national or international sports events or Olympiads can now opt to appear for their board exams in the May session if their events conflict with the scheduled February session exams.
This policy revision eliminates the previous requirement for students to apply for separate special examinations. Instead, affected subjects will be automatically rescheduled for the next examination phase.
Two-Session Examination Structure for 2026
CBSE Class 10 board exams for 2026 will be conducted in two distinct sessions: February and May. This dual-session approach aims to provide greater flexibility and opportunities for students.
- February Session: This will be the primary examination period for most students.
- May Session: This secondary session will cater to specific categories of students.
Eligibility for May Session Exams
Students can appear for the May session board exams under three main conditions:
- Sports and Olympiad Participants: Students whose participation in national or international sports events or Olympiads clashes with their February examination dates. CBSE now recognizes Olympiads as part of the regular curriculum.
- Improvement Opportunity: Students who wish to improve their scores from the February session will have the option to reappear for relevant subjects in May.
- Absence from February Session: Students unable to appear for the February session due to unforeseen circumstances may also sit for the May session. This requires official approval from CBSE.
Application Process and Deadlines
Schools must submit the names of students participating in sports and Olympiads along with their main exam applications. The deadline for submitting these lists is September 30, 2025 .
Compartment Examinations
For students who take the May session exams and subsequently fall into the compartment category, their compartment examinations will be held in February/March of the following year (i.e., February/March 2027).