CBSE Class 10 Exams Twice a Year from 2026 – All You Need to Know About the Second Attempt Option

CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major shift in the Class 10 board examination format starting academic year 2025–26. Students will now have the opportunity to appear for board exams twice a year, with the first mandatory round in February and an optional improvement round in May.

This change is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to reduce exam stress and give students a second chance to improve their scores in key subjects.

Key Dates (Tentative for 2026)

  • Main Exams: Mid-February 2026

  • Results: April 2026

  • Optional Improvement Exams: May 2026

  • Improvement Results: June 2026

Key Highlights of the New CBSE Class 10 Exam Policy

  • Mandatory first attempt in February.

  • Optional second attempt in May, only for up to 3 subjects.

  • Students can retake exams in Science, Math, Social Science, and Languages.

  • The best score of the two attempts will be considered final.

  • Full syllabus will apply to both exams.

  • Internal assessments will be done only once, before the February exam.

Important Rules

  • Students must appear in February to be eligible for the May attempt.

  • Skipping three or more subjects in February disqualifies students from the May exam.

  • Students scoring below 33 marks (fail) in a subject in February can appear in May under the compartment category.

  • Sports and winter-bound school students may get special consideration based on timing.

Why This Matters

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed the reform, calling it a student-centric move that will reduce pressure and align with global best practices. However, some school principals have raised concerns about disrupted academic schedules, teacher workload, and mental health implications.

CBSE Class 10 Biannual Exam Policy – 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it mandatory to appear in both CBSE Class 10 exams?
No. Students must appear in the February exam, but the May exam is optional and only for score improvement in up to three subjects.

2. What subjects can students retake in the May exam?
Students can choose any three from:

  • Science

  • Mathematics

  • Social Science

  • Languages

3. What happens if a student fails in the February exam?
They can appear in the May exam as a compartment candidate for that subject.

4. Will the May exam have a reduced syllabus?
No. Both February and May exams will be based on the entire syllabus.

5. Can new students register for the May exam only?
No. Only students who appear in the February attempt can sit for the May exam. New names won’t be accepted in the second attempt’s List of Candidates (LOC).