CBSE to Conduct Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year from 2026: Draft Scheme Released

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed a new scheme to conduct Class 10 board examinations twice a year, beginning in 2026. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to reform the existing assessment system and reduce academic stress on students. The draft scheme outlines the structure, schedule, and key features of the proposed examination system for CBSE Class 10 Exam. 

Proposed Exam Schedule for CBSE Class 10 (2026)

• Subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Hindi, and English will have fixed exam dates.
• Regional and foreign language subjects will be conducted in a single day.
• Other elective subjects will have multiple examination slots.

Grouping of Subjects

The subjects have been categorized into three major groups:

• Language Group: Includes English, Hindi, and various regional/foreign languages.
• Core Electives: Science, Mathematics, Social Science.
• Additional Electives: Covers vocational and specialized subjects like Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business Studies, and Performing Arts.

Policy on Examination Centers and Evaluation

• Examination centers for both attempts will remain the same.
• No self-centers will be allotted; students will have designated centers.
• Evaluation will be streamlined to ensure timely result declaration.

CBSE Class 20 Board Exam 2026 Important Dates

Assessment and Certification

Students will receive a Mark Sheet cum Passing Certificate with scores from both attempts. Performance in both attempts will be recorded, and the best score will be highlighted. Merit certificates will be issued based on final results after the second attempt. Digital scorecards will be available on DigiLocker for students opting not to appear for the second attempt.

Rules for Subject Changes and Improvements

• Students will not be allowed to change subjects after filling the List of Candidates (LOC) for the first attempt.
• If a student fails in 1-5 subjects in the first attempt, they will be placed under the Improvement Category and can retake the exams in the second phase.
• Admission to Class 11 can be provisionally granted based on the first exam result, subject to final confirmation after the second exam.

Examination Fee and Logistics

• Students must pay the examination fee for both attempts at the time of first registration.
• Examination fees will be non-refundable even if the student does not appear for the second attempt.
• Practical/Internal assessments will be conducted only once per academic year.

Next Steps and Public Feedback

The draft policy is open for feedback and will be finalized after further review. For more details, students, parents, and schools can refer to the official document:

CBSE aims to ensure that the transition to this new system is smooth and beneficial for students. Schools and students are encouraged to review the scheme and prepare accordingly for the upcoming changes in the board examination structure.