CBSE Board Exams to be Held Twice a Year from 2026

<red>March 17th, 2026<red>

CBSE has officially released a circular dated March 17, 2026, for the submission of the List of Candidates (LOC) for the Class X Second Board Examinations scheduled in May 2026. This is the first time CBSE is conducting a Second Board Exam for Class X under the Two Board Examination Policy (notified June 25, 2025).

Overview

Under the NEP 2020 recommendations, CBSE introduced the Two Board Examination Policy to give Class X students a structured opportunity to improve their performance in up to three subjects. The Second Board Examinations are scheduled in May 2026, and schools must now register eligible students through the LOC (List of Candidates) process.

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1st Exam vs 2nd Exam: Key Differences

Here is a comparison table for you to understand 1st vs 2nd class 10th board exam clearly:

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What is LOC and Why Does It Matter?

LOC (List of Candidates) is the official registration list that schools must submit to CBSE to enroll students for the Second Board Exam. Schools are required to submit the LOC on behalf of all students who wish to appear. CBSE needs this data in advance to make examination preparations including centre allotment, well ahead of May 2026.

LOC Submission Schedule

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Note: Lines will remain open till 11:59:59 PM on the last working day of each phase.

Key Details for Schools

• LOC must be submitted by schools on behalf of all desirous students
• Phase 1 submission (by March 31) is strongly recommended - fee can be paid later after results
• Students deciding based on their result can submit both LOC and fee during Phase 2
• Compartment candidates must re-submit their LOC afresh as their subject criteria may change
• Examination centres will be limited - allotted centre may not be near the student's location
• No centre change will be allowed once allotted

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<red>February 19th, 2026<red>

CBSE has issued an official clarification on the Two Board Examination scheme for Class 10, addressing requests from students seeking to skip the first exam. Here's what the notification confirms:

• It is mandatory for all Class 10 students to appear in the 1st Board Examination
• Students who pass can improve their scores in up to 3 subjects from Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages.
• If a student is absent in 3 or more subjects in the first exam, they will be placed in the "Essential Repeat" category and cannot appear in the 2nd exam - they must wait until the main examination next February
• Students with a Compartment result in the first exam will be allowed to appear in the 2nd exam under the compartment category.
• Additional subjects will not be permitted after passing Class 10; stand-alone subjects are not allowed
• Eligible categories for the 2nd exam are:
  
  1. Improvement (up to 3 main subjects)
  2. First/Third Chance Compartment
  3. Compartment + Improvement
  4. Improvement for students passed via subject replacement
• CBSE will not respond to any requests seeking exemption from the 1st Board Examination

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<red>June 25th, 2025<red>

Following the earlier announcement, CBSE has now officially released a detailed notification confirming how the two-board-exam system for Class 10 will be implemented from the 2025–26 academic year. The circular, dated June 25, 2025, provides greater clarity on eligibility, subject rules, result format, and logistics.

Here’s a summary of what’s newly confirmed and what students, parents, and schools need to take note of:

Second Exam is Optional (and not for everyone)

Contrary to common belief, the second board exam is not open to everyone. It is strictly for students who appeared in the first exam and meet one of the following conditions:

• They want to improve their scores (maximum three subjects)
• They were absent in up to three subjects during the first attempt
• They failed in up to three subjects

If a student is absent in more than three subjects during the first exam, they will be marked as "Essential Repeat" and won’t be eligible to appear in the second exam that year.

No Subject Change Allowed Between Attempts

Once subjects are registered for the academic year, no changes will be permitted before the second attempt. Students will only be allowed to reappear in the subjects they originally opted for.

Internal Assessments Will Be Conducted Once

CBSE has clarified that internal assessments and practical exams will take place only once per academic year. The marks awarded will apply to both exam attempts. Schools will not need to conduct internal assessments again for the second board exam.

Exam Centres and Fees

To maintain consistency and fairness, the board has specified that:

• Students will be assigned the same examination centre for both attempts
• Self-centres will not be allowed; students must appear at external locations
• A separate exam fee will be charged for each attempt, regardless of how many subjects a student is reappearing for

One Result, One Marksheet

Students will not receive individual results for both attempts. Instead:

• CBSE will evaluate both sets of answer scripts and retain the best score for each subject
• A single, consolidated result will be issued after the second exam cycle
• Only one final marksheet will be generated, ensuring a cleaner, student-friendly record

Not a Supplementary Exam

CBSE has clearly stated that this second exam is not a supplementary round. It is a structured improvement opportunity that is part of the same academic session. The aim is to reduce pressure, support students facing unforeseen circumstances, and align board exams with global best practices where multiple attempts are built into the system, as seen in the SAT model.

The two-exam system is now more defined, and while it offers flexibility, it also comes with clear rules and expectations. Students are still encouraged to prepare seriously for the first exam, using the second only as a focused opportunity to improve where needed.

<red>February 25th, 2025<red>

Starting in 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will let Class 10 students sit their board exams twice a year. This move is intended to ease exam pressure and give students a chance to improve their marks. Additionally, from the 2026-2027 academic year, CBSE plans to introduce an international curriculum for its affiliated schools abroad. These changes support the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on offering students more flexibility in their studies.

Class 10 Exam Schedule (2026 Onwards)

First Board Exam (Main Attempt)

The datesheet for the 2026 exams as provided by the board

• Start Date: 17 February 2026
• End Date: 6 March 2026
• Subjects: Core subjects (Maths, Science, Social Science, Hindi, English) will be conducted on specific fixed dates.
• Other Subjects: Exams for regional and foreign languages, vocational subjects, and electives will be grouped and conducted on different days.

Second Board Exam (Improvement Attempt)

• Start Date: 5 May 2026
• End Date: 21 May 2026
• Purpose: Students who wish to improve their scores or failed in the first exam can appear for this attempt.

Result Declaration

• Class 10 First Exam Result: By 20 April 2026
• Class 10 Second Exam Result: By 30 June 2026

Important Notes:

• Students can take either one or both exams, but the better score will be considered.
• The syllabus remains the same for both attempts.
• Practical/Internal assessments will be conducted only once.

Students can also check the CBSE Class 10 syllabus and sample papers to prepare better for the upcoming board exams.

Important Features of the New Scheme:

• Two chances to appear: Students can take board exams twice a year, reducing pressure and eliminating the "high-stakes" nature of exams.
• Flexible Subject Choices: Apart from core subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and Hindi, other subjects will be grouped, allowing students to take them on different dates based on their preferences.
• Simpler Exams: The focus will be on testing core concepts and skills instead of rote learning and extensive coaching.
• Common Exam Centres: Students will have fixed exam centres for both attempts.
• No Subject Change After Registration: Once students select their subjects, changes will only be permitted in the second exam.

Competency-Based Evaluation Model

The new policy encourages competency-based assessments instead of traditional exam-focused evaluations. This approach prioritises skill mastery and continuous learning rather than just final exam scores. A CBSE official explained that the shift aligns with global education standards, similar to the SAT system in the US, where students can take tests multiple times and submit their best scores.

Ensuring Inclusivity and Teacher Training

The reform aims to be more inclusive, supporting students who face challenges such as exam anxiety or illness. It ensures that students from different backgrounds get a fair chance to showcase their abilities. To help with this transition, CBSE is also enhancing teacher training programs.

Minister Highlights Benefits of the Reform

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised the importance of these changes in reducing exam stress. He stated that improving the examination system is a crucial step in making assessments more balanced and student-friendly.

CBSE Global Curriculum for Foreign Schools

From the 2026-2027 academic year, CBSE will introduce a Global Curriculum for its affiliated schools abroad. This curriculum will include core Indian subjects to maintain academic consistency for students studying in CBSE-affiliated institutions worldwide.

Impact on Students

This reform is expected to reduce stress and encourage a more in-depth understanding of subjects. With the option to retake exams within the same academic year, students can improve their performance without waiting another year. Additionally, those who do not pass the first attempt can still move on to Class 11 and finalise their admission based on their second exam results.

Changes for Schools

CBSE will ensure that schools meet quality standards before being assigned as examination centres. There will be no provision for self-centres, meaning students must appear at designated locations. Schools will also be responsible for preparing students for the new exam structure and helping them navigate the changes smoothly.

CBSE will assess the effectiveness of this policy based on feedback and may introduce further modifications in the future. This step is seen as a major milestone in making education more student-friendly and in line with global best practices.

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<red> July 24th, 2024 <red>

Starting from the 2024–25 academic year, the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) will conduct board exams for classes 10 and 12 twice a year. This change aims to reduce stress and provide students with more opportunities to improve their grades and skills. 

The biannual exam format is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) and wants to eliminate rote learning and cheating cases. The CBSE is working towards getting their students equipped with realistic skills that are important for their future careers. Let’s have a look at the changes made by the education ministry:

Starting Time

• The biannual exam format will be implemented from the current academic year 2024–25.
• The first set of exams will be held in November–December 2024. 
• The second set of exams will occur in February–March 2025.
• Both sets of exams will contain a full syllabus.

Exam Structure

• Students can choose between any one of the exams, or they can appear in both of the exams; however, you can take the first one as the practice exam. 
• The best marks from both exams will be calculated further.
• The result will come only once in June for both sets of exams. 
• The question paper will contain more conceptual and competency-based questions for improving practical learning.

The National Education Policy believes in providing students with multiple opportunities to showcase their skills and knowledge. Many people believe that this will help improve their academic performance by giving students a second chance to correct their mistakes. This method will reduce the pressure on students. 

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<red> February 21st, 2024 <red>

CBSE Board Exams to be Held Twice a Year from 2025-26

The new curriculum framework was launched on August 23rd, 2023, by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The framework also acknowledged how the board exams will be held twice a year, but when the new framework will be implemented wasn’t confirmed.

At an event in Chattisgarh on February 19th, 2024, the union minister confirmed that the implementation of board exams occurring twice a year will continue from the 2025-26 academic session for Classes 10 and 12.  The new framework is launched to reduce stress in learning and put emphasis on competency achievement. 

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<red> October 8th, 2023 <red>

Appearing for Board Exams Twice a Year will not be Necessary

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In a conversation with PTI (Press Trust of India), Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, said - “Appearing for Class 10 and 12 board examinations twice a year will not be mandatory and the concept is being introduced as an option to reduce students' stress caused by the fear of having only opportunity”

<red> August 23rd, 2023 <red>

New Curriculum Framework Launched by the Union Education Ministry for Classes 10 and 12

The Union Education Ministry launched a new curriculum framework on August 23, 2023, with a New Education Policy that board exams will be held at least twice a year. The reason for this new framework is to measure students’ progress and performance based on their understanding and achievement of competencies instead of rot learning.

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As per the New Curriculum Framework:

• Students can appear for exams they feel ready and prepared for and have the choice to retain the best score amongst both exams.
• Class 11 and 12 now have to study two languages and one Indian language is compulsory.
• Class 11 and 12 students will get the flexibility to choose and not restrict themselves to Science, Commerce, and Humanities.
• Board exam evaluators and developers need to go through university-certified courses before getting assigned this work.
• School boards have to develop “on-demand” capabilities in the future.
• New textbooks are being developed based on 2024 academic sessions.
• Textbook costs to be optimized and covering textbooks in the classroom will be avoided.

The new framework is introduced to provide students with time for preparation. The aim is to get students to understand the concept and use those related skills, abilities, and knowledge to effectively perform in any setting. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the LOC for CBSE Second Board Exam 2026?

LOC stands for List of Candidates. It is the official process through which schools register students who wish to appear in the Class X Second Board Examination in May 2026. Schools must submit this list to CBSE within the given schedule.

Q. When is the last date to submit LOC for CBSE Second Exam 2026?

The 1st Phase of LOC submission is open from March 18 to March 31, 2026. Students who decide after their results can submit in Phase 2 or Phase 3, though Phase 3 attracts a late fee.

Q. Can a student submit LOC now and pay the fee later?

Yes. CBSE has specifically allowed students to submit their LOC during Phase 1 and pay the examination fee separately after their results are declared.

Q. Who should submit LOC in Phase 1?

Any student who is already certain they want to appear in the Second Board Exam regardless of their result, should submit in Phase 1 (by March 31). This helps CBSE with advance exam preparations.

Q. Do compartment students need to submit a fresh LOC?

Yes. Compartment candidates from the main examination must re-submit their LOC afresh, as their improvement subject criteria may change after the compartment result.

Q. Will the exam centre be the same as the 1st board exam?

Students will be assigned an external centre by CBSE. Centres will be limited in number and may not be near the student's location. No change of centre will be allowed once allotted.

Q. Is there a late fee for LOC submission?

Yes. Phase 3 submissions (from the 7th day after result declaration, for 2 days) will attract a late fee.