CBSE Class 10 New Exam System 2026: Two Board Exams, Subject Choice & Key Changes Explained
Big Reform in CBSE Board Exams: Class 10 Students to Get Two Chances a Year Starting 2026
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📚 CBSE Class 10 Exam System Overhauled: Here's What Will Change from 2026
In a historic move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce a dual board exam system for Class 10 students starting in 2026. Students will now get two opportunities per academic year to appear for the board exams — a significant step toward reducing stress and promoting learning flexibility.
But what does this really mean for students, parents, and schools? Let’s break it down.
🗓️ Two Exams in One Year – How It Works
CBSE will conduct two board exams each academic year:
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First Board Exam: Mid-February to early March
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Second Attempt: May (for up to 3 subjects only)
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Best of Two Scores: The highest marks from both attempts will be considered for the final result.
💡 Note: The entire syllabus will be covered in both exams, and the exam center remains the same.
📖 Internal Assessment
Internal assessments (projects, class tests, assignments) will only be conducted once per year, before the first board exam.
🔢 Dual-Level Subject Options
To give students even more flexibility:
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Mathematics, Science & Social Science will now be available in Basic and Advanced levels, starting 2026–27.
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This mirrors the current Standard/Basic structure of Maths exams.
🎯 Why the Change?
The CBSE says this shift is aimed at:
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Reducing academic pressure by avoiding “one-chance-only” exams
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Encouraging competency-based learning instead of rote memorization
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Giving students more flexibility to improve without repeating the year
It’s also inspired by global board systems that offer multiple sittings.
💡 What Are the Pros?
✅ Reduced Pressure – Students can attempt to improve marks without stress.
✅ Fair Evaluation – Best-of-two scoring ensures better results.
✅ Early Decision Making – Helps with competitive exam planning and subject choices for Class 11.
✅ International Alignment – Matches assessment patterns of top boards like IGCSE, IB.
⚠️ And the Cons?
❌ Extra Cost – Each exam attempt may involve additional exam fees.
❌ Logistical Challenges – Schools will have to manage more schedules and correction loads.
❌ May Clashes – The May session could overlap with Class 11 preparation.
❌ Digital Divide – Students in rural or under-resourced areas may need extra support.
🧾 Final Marksheet & Certificates
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Final CBSE certificates will be issued after the May session, including the best scores.
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Re-evaluation, scanned answer sheets, and correction requests will still be available post-results.
🔗 Useful External Links
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This article is created by AI for informational purposes and draws content from verified public sources including CBSE notifications and trusted news platforms. Please refer to cbse.gov.in or your school authorities for the latest official updates.
🤖 AI-Generated Article Notice:
This article was written with the help of AI tools and verified through reliable public news sources and official CBSE data. Human editing has been applied to ensure clarity, accuracy, and reader-friendliness.
