CBSE Board Exam 2025 Twice A Year! As part of the ongoing reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced major changes to the CBSE Class 10 board examination system. The new policy, which will be implemented starting from the academic session 2025-2026, offers students an opportunity to appear for two board examinations per year. The Board has released the proposal to conduct CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 twice a year.
The Ministry of Education hosted a significant meeting, chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Education, where this policy change was discussed in detail. The proposal is aimed at providing students with a chance to improve their performance in the board exams, thus reducing pressure and stress on students.
Key Highlights of the Proposed Scheme for CBSE Class 10 Exams 2026
- Two Exams Per Year: The new structure allows two board exams to be held each year, providing students with an opportunity to improve their results in the second exam if needed.
- Examination Start Date: The exams will commence on the first Tuesday after 15th February every year, with CBSE Class 10 Exams 2026 scheduled from February 17 to March 6, and the second phase running from May 5 to May 20.
- Examination Duration: The entire examination process will span 34 days, involving 84 subjects, with approximately 26.60 lakh students expected to appear for the CBSE Class 10 exams in 2026.
Examination Groups and Subject Categorization for CBSE Class 10- 2026
The CBSE Class 10 subjects are categorized into four groups:
- Language Group: English, Hindi
- Elective Group: Science, Mathematics, Social Science
- Regional & Foreign Languages: French, Sanskrit, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Spanish, and more
- Remaining Subjects Group: Elements of Bookkeeping, Computer Applications, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and more
Two Exam Phases for 2026: Key Details
| Exam Phase | Examination Dates | Subjects Included | Expected Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Feb 17 to March 6, 2026 | Science, Maths, Social Science, Hindi, English | 26.60 lakh |
| Phase 2 | May 5 to May 20, 2026 | Regional and Foreign languages, and other electives like Computer Applications, Data Science, AI, etc. | 26.60 lakh |
Important Guidelines for CBSE 10th Exam 2026
- Fixed Days for Core Subjects: Science, Maths, Social Science, Hindi, and English will be scheduled on fixed days.
- Regional and Foreign Languages: These exams will be conducted in one go on a single day.
- Elective Subjects: Exams for elective subjects will be held over 2 to 3 days, based on student combinations and preferences.
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Twice: Key Updates
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Exams for 1st & 2nd Phases | Fixed schedule, no deviation; no special exams will be conducted under any circumstances. |
| Practical Assessment | Only one practical exam will be conducted for all students. |
| Passing Criteria | Students need to pass five subjects for a pass status. |
| Merit Certificates | Issued post 2nd examination, for those qualifying all subjects. |
| Improvement Option | Students failing in 1 to 5 subjects will be placed under Improvement Category. |
| Additional Subjects | No additional subjects will be permitted after passing Class X. |
| Marking System | Better marks from the first or second exam will be recorded on the Marksheet. |
| Feedback Mechanism | The policy will be reviewed and finalized after collecting feedback from stakeholders. |
New Guidelines for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026
- Study and Exam Scheme: The scheme of studies and scheme of examinations will be simplified, with a focus on more efficient and practical assessments.
- Support for CWSN Students: The facilities extended to CWSN (Children With Special Needs) candidates will continue, as per current provisions, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
- Sports Students: Students involved in sports will appear in one of the two exams and will not have a separate examination.
- Examination Centres: Students will be allotted the same examination centre for both the first and second phases of exams. No self-centres will be permitted.
- Loc Filling Deadline: List of Candidates (LOC) for the first examination must be completed by the end of September the year before the exams. There will be no changes in subject offerings after the submission of LOC for the first exam.
- Fees and Supplementary Exams: The examination fees will be non-refundable once paid for the first exam. The first and second exams will also act as supplementary exams.
- Practical/Internal Assessment: Practical and internal assessments will be conducted only once in the year.
CBSE asks Stakeholders to share Response and Feedback for CBSE Board Exam Twice Proposed Policy
A draft policy outlining the new examination system has been made available for review on the official CBSE website. Stakeholders including schools, teachers, parents, students, and the general public are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed policy.
The final version of the policy will be drafted after reviewing all responses by March 9, 2025.
For more information on the new examination structure, CBSE Class 10 subject groups, and to provide feedback, please visit the CBSE website at www.cbse.gov.in.
These changes to the Class X board examination system are in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to make education more comprehensive, flexible, and less stressful for students. This policy is expected to provide students with more opportunities to succeed while reducing exam-related anxiety.