10th Board Exam Will Be Conducted Twice A Year From 2026

CBSE recently announced that the 10th class board exam will be conducted twice a year from 2026. The new framework highlights 2 phases of the exam: 1st phase compulsory, 2nd phase optional. They will be conducted in the months of February and May respectively. 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced this new Indian education framework for the benefit of students. This move has been deemed student-friendly and future oriented will change the way lakhs of students are going to appear in board exams in India.

Once the 2026 academic session starts, CBSE will organize Class 10 board exams in two phases:

• First Exam (Mandatory): Scheduled for February, all students must appear for this session.
• Second Exam (Optional): Held in May, this is for students who wish to improve their scores in up to three subjects like Science, Maths, Social Science, or languages.

The result of the 1st phase board exam will be announced in April whereas the 2nd phase exam of May session will be available in June. Notably, the highest mark of the two will be used during the final mark sheet. 

This major reform aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends reducing the pressure of high-stakes board exams by giving students more than one chance within the same academic year. Being the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan termed it as a long overdue move toward lessening the stresses of examinations, getting a more flexible schedule, or a more jovial learning experience.  

Key Features of New Reforms

• Flexibility: Students receive a second opportunity in the same year and there is less reason to wait another year to raise the scores.
• Less Pressure: Having two chances, there is less pressure usually imposed by one high stakes exam, which makes it more student centered.
• Chance to Improve: In May there is also the optional examination where students have the chance to improve their grades in up to three subjects.
• Internal Assessment: shall remain to be done once during the year of study and applicable to both phases of examinations.
• Special Provisions: Winter-bound schools can choose which phase to attempt, and special allowances are made for sportspersons and children with special needs.

What Does This Mean For Students? 

This new reform is significant for students because it will decrease the exam pressure by giving a second chance to them. Choosing a stream after 10th board is a vital step that dictates the future of any average student. Thus, giving them a chance to put in efforts for improving their scores will prove beneficial not only to the student but also the nation. 

In addition, the parents will now have the hope that there will be a more balanced effort being put towards the preparation of board exams with the focus shifting from rote learning to true understanding and performance.

What’s Next?

Unofficially CBSE officials have indicated that if this is successful in Class 10th, then a similar framework for Class 12 can be introduced in the future.

The decision to conduct board examinations to Class 10 twice a year starting January 2026 is a great move towards modernization of school examination pattern of India. It represents an international tendency of the flexible assessment being not so stressful to help the students to learn and act in the best way possible.

To millions of Indian families, this is good news and introduces a brighter, less stressful and opportunity rich future to their children.