Indian school education system capable of conducting board exams twice a year: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday stated the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)'s decision to conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year from 2026 would de-stress students from the pressure of exams while adding that the Indian school education system is capable enough all over the country to carry out board exams twice a year.

"India has more than 60 school boards, and there has never been a question mark over their capability. The structure of the exams itself is not imposing pressure on the education system. The move to hold board exams twice in a year is not to water down the process, but to decrease stress among students," Pradhan said in an education conclave hosted by a prominent news channel.

Pradhan explained that the National Testing Agency (NTA) is already holding the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) twice annually, enabling students to select the best score.

Based on this concept, we are now bringing the same concept for Class 10 board examination. From next time, students will be given an option to give the board exam twice a year and keep their best mark. This step is suggested by experts and it is set to give flexibility and ease the pressure of exams. Our education system in schools is capable enough to implement this change nationwide," he further said.

CBSE, in the draft policy issued in February, suggested holding Class 10 board exams twice a year from an academic year beginning from 2026. The draft, drawn up as per National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 suggestions, was issued on February 25, and March 9 was set as the deadline to submit feedback.

As per the draft policy, CBSE board exam 2026 for 26,60,000 Class 10 students in 84 subjects would be conducted in two phases in 34 days – 18 days during the first phase from February 17 to March 6 and 16 days in the second phase from May 5 to May 20.