The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced a major change in the Class 10 examination system starting from 2026. Students will now appear for the board exam twice a year – once in February and again in May (for improvement).
✅ Key Highlights of the New Rule
- 📌 Two Exams in One Year
- First Exam (February): Mandatory for all students.
- Second Exam (May): Optional, only for improvement.
- 📌 Result Timeline
- February exam results ➝ April (used for provisional Class 11 admission).
- May exam results ➝ June (final certification for promotion).
- 📌 Improvement Chance
- If a student passes in February but wants to score higher, they can reappear in May.
- Students failing in 3 or more subjects in February ❌ cannot sit for May exam. They will be placed under “Essential Repeat” and must reappear next year.
- 📌 Internal Assessment (IA)
- To be conducted once every year before the February board exam.
- Covers the entire syllabus.
- Special provisions for ⚽ sports students, ❄️ winter-school regions, and ♿ children with special needs.
⚡ Why This Change?
✔️ To reduce exam pressure on students.
✔️ To provide flexibility and a chance to improve within the same academic year.
✔️ To align with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which recommends reducing the “high-stakes” nature of board exams.
🎯 What This Means for Students
- No need to wait an entire year for improvement.
- Better chances of securing higher marks for Class 11 admissions.
- Encourages continuous learning rather than one-shot preparation.
📊 Quick Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Exam Months | February (mandatory) + May (improvement) |
| 📄 Eligibility for May Exam | Fail in < 3 subjects in February |
| 🏫 Internal Assessment | Once a year, before Feb exam |
| 📅 Result Timeline | April (Feb exam) & June (May exam) |
| 🎯 Policy Goal | Reduce stress, give flexibility, NEP 2020 compliance |
👉 This decision is being seen as a student-friendly reform 💡. While some educators worry about increased workload, many welcome it as a progressive step that gives students a fair second chance without wasting a whole year.