In a significant shift aimed at easing academic pressure and improving assessment quality, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the introduction of a two-term examination system for Class 10 starting from 2026.
Under the new system, the academic year will be split into two equal terms. The first board exam will be held in February 2026 and the second exam will be held in May 2026. The results of Class 10 will be declared before Class 12. After seeking public feedback by March 9, the CBSE has finalised and announced the implementation of dual board examinations starting in 2026.”
The CBSE said it would be mandatory for all students to appear in the first board examination. All the passed and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects from science, mathematics, social science, and languages. Students can opt to take the exam once or both times. If they choose the latter, they can “opt out” of subjects/ papers that they don’t want to take again.
If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the first examination, then the student will not be allowed to appear in the second examination. Such students will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category and can take the examination only next year in the main examinations in the month of February next year. For students whose result in the first examination is Compartment, such students will be in second examinations under Compartment Category.
Additional subjects, CBSE added, will not be permitted, meaning that after passing Class 10, students will be allowed in stand-alone subjects.
The board clarified that the mode of exam, syllabus and question pattern of exams will be the same as of now.
This change is expected to impact over 30 lakh students nationwide and is seen as a step toward creating a more student-centric and equitable board examination structure.
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