CBSE Class 10 students will have a second opportunity to appear for board examinations starting in 2026 . This second exam will be offered only for subjects where external assessment components exceed 50%. Practicals will be conducted once, clarified CBSE board chairperson Rahul Singh during a recent webinar.
Students who miss three to four subjects in the first board exam phase will not qualify for the second attempt, Singh stated. He estimated that a maximum of 40% of candidates would appear in each main subject during these second exams.
Eligibility for Second Attempt
The first CBSE Class 10 board examination is compulsory for all students, confirmed CBSE exam controller Sanyam Bhardwaj. Students will not have the option to skip the first phase and only appear for the second.
The second attempt primarily targets students seeking to improve their performance. They can apply for the second exam in up to three subjects from Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages.
Students with compartment status will not be eligible for the second chance, Bhardwaj added. Special board exams for sports and Olympiad participants will align with the second phase of exams.
Exam Logistics and Timeline
The first phase of CBSE Board exams for 2026 is scheduled from February 17 to March 10 . Following the declaration of results for these main exams, the board will open the List of Candidates (LoC) registration for the second attempt. This registration window will last approximately 10 to 15 days.
The board projects a significant reduction in evaluation workload with the two-board exam policy. Approximately 1.5 crore answer books are expected for evaluation in the first phase. For phase two, the board anticipates evaluating no more than 20 to 30 lakh answer books, easing the burden on teachers.
Policy Background and Reactions
CBSE drafted the policy to conduct board exams twice a year in February, with implementation beginning from the 2025-26 academic session. This initiative aims to provide students with multiple chances to improve scores.
The decision has generated mixed reactions among students, parents, and educators. A parliamentary panel has voiced opposition to the two-exam scheme, citing concerns over potential paper leaks and irregularities.