CBSE tightens rules: No second attempt for Class 10 students missing more than three subjects

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instituted a set of revised protocols barring students who skip three or more subjects during their initial Class 10 board exam from accessing the second chance exam. The move, confirmed in the board’s latest communication, is directed at closing gaps in exam protocol and deterring any exploitation of the improvement process.

Splitting subjects across exam sessions now stands prohibited. Attempting solely the second board exam—without a prior appearance in the main test—will not be accepted. Access to the subsequent attempt hinges entirely on eligibility as determined from the primary sitting. The board’s statement underscores that this measure addresses attempts to circumvent the main assessment, clarifying the intent behind the restriction.

In this overhauled system, candidates are permitted to better their marks in as many as three subjects, limited strictly to those in which external evaluation constitutes more than half of the total marks. This method, according to CBSE, sustains fairness and preserves uniform benchmarks in subject-wise assessment.

CBSE describes the dual-exam initiative as a means to cut academic pressure and prevent loss of an academic year for those missing or failing the main exam. The opening exam falls on February 17, 2025; the follow-up opportunity arrives in May.

Provisional access to Class 11 may be granted through DigiLocker using marks from the first exam round, yet candidates will only secure their final certification and official merit documents after completion of the second attempt. CBSE anticipates roughly 2.6 million candidates will participate in the primary examination.

Some exceptions have been carved out. Students committed to sports training programs and unable to sit the February session retain the option to appear for the subsequent attempt.

CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh highlighted the approach, stating, “He said the system was designed to support students who miss or fail their first exam rather than those attempting to bypass the primary assessment.”

Further, Singh outlined expected participation: “According to him, not more than 40 percent of students appearing in the February board exam are expected to take the optional improvement exam in May.”