New Delhi | June 25, 2025
In a landmark shift aligned with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced that Class 10 board exams will be conducted twice a year starting from 2026. This move is aimed at reducing academic stress, offering students flexibility, and giving them another opportunity to improve their scores.
What Are the New Rules?
Two Board Exams Every Year:
- February: Mandatory for all Class 10 students.
- May: Optional – for those who want to improve scores or couldn't clear up to 3 subjects.
Best Score Counts:
- The better score out of the two attempts in each subject will be considered for the final result.
Internal Assessments:
- Will still be conducted only once per academic year.
Eligibility:
- Only students who attempt the February exam in all compulsory subjects will be eligible to appear in the May attempt.
Why This Move?
This reform has been made in line with the NEP’s push to make education more flexible and less exam-centric. By giving students a second chance in the same academic year, the government hopes to:
- Reduce high-stakes pressure
- Prevent year-long delays for improvements
- Allow fairer evaluation across different learning speeds
Official Statements
“The first phase will be conducted in February and the second in May… appearing in the first phase is mandatory while the second is optional.”
— Sanyam Bhardwaj, CBSE Exam Controller
“This is a step towards a stress-free learning environment.”
— Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister
Benefits
The new two-phase exam model offers a lifeline for students to improve scores within the same academic year, creating a more student-centric and flexible educational approach. It encourages a healthier learning environment by reducing the anxiety of a single high-stakes exam and allows room for self-paced preparation. The reform also enhances opportunities for better performance evaluation by educators and supports a shift toward a more progressive academic system in line with NEP goals.
Criticisms and Concerns
While the reform is being praised, educationists and teachers have raised some concerns:
- Increased workload on teachers for extended academic sessions.
- Risk of commercialization through the coaching industry.
- Possible parental pressure on students to attempt both exams, even when unnecessary.
- Logistical and financial pressure for reappearing students.
What Lies Ahead?
Although this policy currently applies only to Class 10, the CBSE has indicated that Class 12 may also adopt a similar system in the future. Stakeholders are watching closely for how well this will be implemented across the country’s diverse educational landscape.
Final Words
The new CBSE Class 10 board exam format from 2026 is a bold step toward flexibility, mental well-being, and academic fairness. The real success, however, will depend on transparent guidelines, adequate teacher support, and responsible implementation by schools and parents alike.
