CBSE board exams for Class 10 will now be held twice a year starting from the 2026 academic session, marking a major shift in the country’s examination system. This reform, aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is aimed at reducing the stress of high-stakes testing and offering students greater flexibility and second chances.
On Wednesday, the Central Board of Secondary Education officially approved the norms that will enable this new system. CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj confirmed the development and explained how the board plans to implement the change in a phased and student-friendly manner.
Twice-a-Year Exams: What Students Need to Know
According to the approved structure, students will be required to appear for the first phase of the Class 10 board exams in February. This attempt will be mandatory for all students enrolled in the academic session. The second phase, scheduled for May, will be optional and will serve as an opportunity for students to improve their scores in up to three subjects—Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages.
Bhardwaj clarified that the results of the February exams will be released in April, while those of the May exams will be declared in June. Students who choose to appear for the second phase will be allowed to retain the better score obtained in each subject, ensuring that only the best results are considered for the final mark sheet.
Special Provision for Winter-Bound Schools
In a move to accommodate regional needs, CBSE has also extended flexibility to schools in winter-bound regions. These students will have the option to appear in either of the two phases, based on what suits their academic calendar better. However, internal assessments will continue to be conducted once per academic session, maintaining some consistency in the evaluation process.
A Step Towards Reducing Academic Pressure
This shift to two board exams annually stems from recommendations made in the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to overhaul India’s traditional examination-centric education model. One of the key goals of NEP is to reduce the pressure created by a single board exam attempt and instead focus on a more holistic and flexible assessment system.
NEP 2020 calls for a complete redesign of board examinations so that they are more aligned with students’ interests and less dependent on rote memorization. According to the policy, this change is expected to “eliminate the high-stakes nature of exams” and reduce students’ dependence on private coaching centers, which has become widespread due to the limited chances to perform well.
Encouraging Multiple Attempts and Personalized Learning
One of the most transformative aspects of the NEP is its encouragement of multiple opportunities for students to succeed. By allowing two exam attempts each academic year, the system recognizes that not all students perform their best in a single setting and that academic progress should not be limited by one performance.
The idea is to move towards a more student-centric learning environment, where learners can improve based on feedback, work on weaker areas, and come back stronger in a second attempt. This model also aligns more closely with international education systems, where retakes and flexible assessment windows are standard practice.
Feedback and Implementation
The draft norms for this reform were initially released by CBSE in February 2024 and made available in the public domain for stakeholder feedback. Suggestions from educators, parents, and school administrators were considered before finalizing the structure.
The Board is now preparing guidelines for schools to follow, including the curriculum planning, exam paper setting, and result calculation based on dual-phase exams. Further announcements are expected to follow regarding how school calendars and teaching plans will adapt to the new model.
Looking Ahead: A Shift in Academic Culture
With this major reform, CBSE hopes to set a precedent for making assessments more flexible, fair, and student-focused. While the two-exam model will initially be implemented only for Class 10 students, it could eventually extend to Class 12 if proven successful.
More than just a change in exam schedules, this move reflects a larger shift in how Indian education views success, failure, and improvement. By giving students a second chance and removing the pressure of a one-shot exam, CBSE is taking a bold step toward a more inclusive and thoughtful academic experience.
As the 2026 rollout approaches, students, teachers, and parents will need to adjust to this new rhythm—but the long-term benefits could transform the future of school education in India.
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