CBSE Introduces Two-Exam Option for Class 10 Students
In a major shift aimed at easing exam pressure, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that Class 10 students will be allowed to take their board exams twice starting from the 2026-27 academic year.
The move, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, seeks to make board exams less high-stakes and more student-friendly.
From 2026, students will sit for a mandatory main exam in mid-February and have the option of a second attempt in May to improve their scores in up to three academic subjects—Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and two language papers.
This opportunity will only be available to students who pass the first exam. The better of the two scores will be counted in the final mark sheet.
CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh clarified that the second exam is entirely optional and is meant to give students a chance to improve. Students who fail in three or more subjects or do not appear in at least three subjects in the first exam will not be allowed to sit for the improvement exam, to prevent what officials call “opportunity shopping.”
Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bhardwaj explained that the second attempt is especially helpful in core academic subjects, where many students seek to improve performance for higher education goals. Previously, CBSE had allowed improvement exams in only two subjects, including vocational ones.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised the decision, calling it “a student-centric approach” that reduces exam stress and aligns with global education standards.
The reform will also change how compartment exams are conducted. From 2026-27 onwards, compartment exams will be merged with the second (improvement) exam in June, eliminating the need for separate exams in July. Students placed in the ‘Compartment’ or ‘Essential Repeat’ categories will follow structured timelines for their second and third attempts.
Further flexibility will be offered to:
- Sports quota students whose events clash with exams
- Students in snow-bound regions who can choose between the first or second exam based on accessibility
- Students who passed via subject replacement but wish to improve a failed academic subject
First exam results will be available via DigiLocker in April, allowing students to begin Class 11 admissions promptly. Those opting for improvement exams can provisionally join Class 11 and confirm their admission after the June results.
This reform represents one of the most significant changes to the Indian board exam system in years, promising a more balanced and flexible academic environment for students.
