CBSE to conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year from 2026

In a major reform aligned with the evolving exam pattern in Karnataka, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that from the academic year 2026, Class 10 students will have the opportunity to appear for two board examinations in a single academic year — one in February and the other in May.

This move is aimed at reducing academic stress and allowing students a chance to improve their performance. While the first board exam in February will be mandatory, the second exam in May will be optional, giving students who wish to improve their scores in key subjects — Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages — another shot at better marks.

According to CBSE’s proposed guidelines, results of the first phase exam will be declared in April, and the second phase results will be out in June. Only one round of internal assessment will be conducted for the entire academic year. Students in cold climate regions or those under sports categories will be allowed to choose any one phase of the exam. However, students who miss three or more papers in the first phase will not be eligible to take the second phase, the board clarified.

CBSE plans to issue detailed guidelines to all schools shortly. The dual-exam system is similar to Karnataka’s existing model where students are given multiple opportunities in SSLC and PUC to improve their marks.

The decision has been positively received by many parents, who believe that this flexibility could significantly reduce student stress and even prevent extreme outcomes like suicides due to academic failure. The option for a second attempt is seen as a safety net, particularly for those who either fail or underperform in their first try.