Big announcement for CBSE class 10 students: Board exams twice a year from 2026

NEW DELHI: The CBSE has decided to implement the 'double examination' system in class 10 from the 2025-2026 academic year to relieve mental stress for students and improve their results.

The board will conduct the exams in February and May 2026. There will be no change in the exam pattern, syllabus and question pattern. The first phase of the exam will be held in February and will be mandatory for all students.

The results of the February exam will be out in April and the results of the May exam in June. Students can get admission to class 11 using the first result. Marksheets, merit certificates, etc. will be given only after the second result.

Conditions:

• Everyone must write the first exam (main exam). Students can write the second exam to improve their marks in three subjects including Science, Mathematics, Social Science and Languages.
• Those who fail in one or two subjects in the first exam can write the second exam in the compartment category.
• Those who do not write three or more subjects in the first exam must appear for the main exam next year in the 'Essential Repeat' category.

Those who have to appear for the main examination

• Those who are making their first attempt in class 10 in the academic year
• Those who have failed in previous years and are making their second compartment attempt
• Those who have 'essentially repeated' the previous year
• Those who want to improve their performance in the subjects they have passed

Those who can take the second exam

• Those who improve their marks in a maximum of three main subjects.
• Those who are taking the exam in the first or third compartment category.
• Those who are taking one compartment exam and one improvement exam.
• Those who are trying to improve their results by taking and passing the exam in a replacement subject.