CBSE New Draft Policy: Board Exams To Be Held Twice a Year from 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a new draft policy that will allow students to take Class X board exams twice a year, starting in 2026. This significant change aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes reducing student stress and promoting conceptual learning over rote memorization. The new system aims to make exams less high-stakes, giving students an opportunity to improve their performance in a second attempt.

Features of the CBSE Class-X Two-Exam System

1. Two Opportunities for Board Exams

Under the new system, students will be able to appear for board exams twice in a single academic year. The first attempt will be the main examination, while the second attempt will act as an improvement opportunity. Students will have the choice to appear in either one or both exams, and their best score will be reflected in the final mark sheet. This change will reduce the pressure of a single high-stakes exam and allow students to perform better with an additional chance.

2. Exam Dates and Schedule

CBSE has released a proposed schedule for the Class X board exams in 2026. The first phase of exams will be held in February-March, and the second phase will take place in May. The results for each attempt will be declared separately.

CBSE Class X Board Exam Schedule (2026)

With this structure, students will receive their first exam results in April, allowing them to decide if they want to improve their scores in the second phase of exams in May.

3. Syllabus and Question Paper Format

The syllabus will remain the same for both exam attempts, ensuring consistency in learning. CBSE aims to make board exams easier by focusing on core competencies and skills rather than memorization. Question papers will be designed to assess conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities. The Format will include a mix of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and descriptive questions to test students effectively.

4. Subject Categorization & Exam Structure

CBSE has classified subjects into different groups to streamline the exam process:

•    Core Subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English) will have fixed exam dates.

•    Regional and Foreign Languages will be conducted in one single session.

•    Elective Subjects (such as Data Science, Business Studies, and Information Technology) will be held on two or three different days, based on student enrollment.

The date of elective subject exams will be assigned by CBSE, ensuring a smooth and organized examination schedule.

5. Examination Centers and Logistics

To maintain fairness and security, the same exam centers will be used for both exam attempts. Schools will not serve as self-exam centers, and students will be assigned external centers. The examination fee, which covers both attempts, will be non-refundable once paid.

6. Practical & Internal Assessments

•    Practical exams and internal assessments will be conducted only once per academic year.

•    The same practical marks will be considered for both board exam attempts.

•    This will ensure that students do not need to redo their practicals if they opt for the second attempt.

7. Passing Criteria and Mark Sheet

To pass the board exams, students must clear five core subjects. Students failing up to five subjects in the first attempt will be categorized as "Improvement Candidates" and allowed to reappear in the second attempt.

The final mark sheet will display:

•    Scores from both attempts (if applicable).

•    The best score achieved in each subject.

•    Practical/Internal assessment marks.

Additionally, CBSE will issue a Merit Certificate after the second examination to recognize outstanding performers.

8. Admission to Class XI

One of the most student-friendly aspects of this policy is the flexibility it provides in Class XI admissions. Students who fail in the first attempt can still be provisionally admitted to Class XI, with final admission confirmed after the second exam results. Schools will be able to access first-attempt scores via DigiLocker to facilitate this process.

9. Supplementary and Special Exams

•    There will be no separate supplementary exams—the second attempt in May will serve as the supplementary exam.

•    If students want to improve their scores beyond the two attempts, they must wait for the next academic year.

•    No special exams will be conducted under any circumstances.

The introduction of twice-a-year board exams by CBSE is a major step toward making education more flexible and student-friendly. This system will reduce exam pressure, provide students with an opportunity for improvement, and help them focus on conceptual understanding rather than memorization. As the policy is still in its draft stage, CBSE will gather feedback and make necessary modifications before finalizing the plan.

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