CBSE Plans to Conduct Class 10 Board Exams Biannually from 2026, Invites Feedback
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed holding Class 10 board exams twice a year beginning in 2026. They are seeking feedback from stakeholders through draft guidelines available on their official website.
Key Takeaways
- CBSE plans to conduct Class 10 exams twice a year from 2026.
- Stakeholder feedback invited via official website.
- First phase of exams: February 17 to March 6, 2026.
- Second phase of exams: May 5 to May 20, 2026.
- Students can attempt improvement exams in July 2026.
New Delhi, Feb 25 (NationPress) The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has put forth a proposal to conduct Class 10 board examinations two times each year, commencing from the academic year 2026. The board has shared draft guidelines for this new examination pattern and is currently seeking input from stakeholders and the general public through its official website.
In an official announcement, the CBSE stated: "The National Education Policy, 2020 has suggested that students should be provided with chances to enhance their performance in board exams."
This topic was further examined during a meeting led by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, where the decision was made to initiate two board exams for Class 10 students starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.
A draft policy has been made available by the CBSE, which is urging feedback from all relevant parties, including schools, teachers, parents, students, and the wider public. "This draft Policy will be accessible on the CBSE website for feedback from all stakeholders, such as schools, teachers, parents, students, and others (General Public etc.). The draft has been prepared after extensive discussions and is available on the CBSE website, cbse.gov.in. Stakeholders can provide their responses to the Draft Policy by 09.03.2025. The feedback will be reviewed and the policy will be finalized," the official notice further explained.
To alleviate the “high stakes” nature of board exams, the board indicated that all students will have the chance to take the Class 10 exams up to two occasions within a single academic year—once for the main exam and once for an improvement exam.
The first segment of the Class 10 exams for 2026 is scheduled to take place from February 17 to March 6, with the second segment planned for May 5 to May 20. An estimated 26,60,000 students are registered for the upcoming exams.
The CBSE also mentioned: "Students who do not pass the first examination may be allowed to enroll in Class 11, and their admission will be confirmed based on the results of the second examination. A merit certificate will be awarded after the second exam. Students who pass all five subjects will be labeled as passed. Students failing to pass between one and five subjects in the first examination will fall under the 'Improvement Category' and will be granted the opportunity to take the second examination scheduled for July 2026."
