The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the Class 10 Second Board Examination Result 2026, marking the first year of the two-board examination system introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With the inclusion of the second examination results, the overall pass percentage has increased to nearly 96.8%, significantly higher than the 93.7% pass rate recorded in the main board examination.

The second examination offered students an opportunity to improve their scores or clear compartment subjects, reinforcing CBSE's shift toward a more flexible and student-friendly assessment model.

60% Students Improved Their Scores

According to CBSE, nearly 5.1 lakh students appeared for the Class 10 improvement examination.

Of these:

• Around 3.1 lakh students (nearly 60%) secured higher marks than they had in the main board examination.
• Students will receive the better score from the two attempts in their final marksheet.

The provision allows students to improve their academic performance without the pressure of a single high-stakes examination.

Compartment Pass Percentage Improves

The second examination also provided an opportunity for students placed in the compartment category.

CBSE reported that:

• 1.5 lakh students appeared in the compartment examination.
• 78,503 students passed, resulting in a 52.4% pass percentage.
• The compartment pass rate has improved from around 48.7% in 2025.

The increase reflects better student performance under the revised examination framework.

First Year of CBSE's Two-Board Exam System

The 2026 academic session marks the first implementation of the two-board examination system for Class 10, introduced as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Under the new structure:

• The main board examination is mandatory.
• The second board examination is optional.
• Students can retain the higher score obtained across the two examinations.
• The final marksheet reflects the best performance rather than the average of both attempts.

The main board examinations were conducted from February 17 to March 11, 2026, while the second board examinations were held between May 15 and May 21, 2026.

CBSE Says Policy Reduces Exam Pressure

A CBSE official said the new system is designed to ensure that a single examination does not determine a student's academic future.

"Students can retain the higher score obtained across the two attempts, ensuring that a single exam does not determine their final performance. The policy is intended to promote competency-based assessment, reduce dependence on high-stakes testing and coaching, and provide greater academic flexibility."

The reform aligns with NEP 2020's objective of promoting conceptual understanding, continuous learning, and reduced examination stress.

How to Check CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result 2026

Students who appeared for the second examination can access their results through the DigiLocker Results Portal.

CBSE has also:

• Shared school-wise results with affiliated schools via their registered email addresses.
• Made digital academic documents available through the CBSE digital repository, which students can access using credentials already provided through their schools.

The introduction of the two-board examination system is expected to provide students with greater flexibility while encouraging competency-based learning and reducing dependence on a single examination.