Finance
In a significant shift aimed at reducing academic strain on students and increasing assessment quality, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced Wednesday the implementation of a two-term examination system for Class 10 beginning in the 2026 school year.
In an official notification, the CBSE emphasized that the first’main’ board test will take place in mid-February 2026, with a second exam in May 2026. Notably, while CBSE Class 10 and 12 board exams are generally administered concurrently, the Board has indicated that beginning with the next academic session, Class 10 exams may complete earlier than Class 12, allowing results to be announced ahead of Class 12. This shift is intended to provide room for a second round of board exams to be conducted in the month of May.
CBSE announced that the decision for Class 10 students was finalized after soliciting public opinion in March of this year, and that a similar program may be implemented for Class 12 students in the future.
How will the exams be held, who is it for?
According to CBSE’s new two-exam structure for Class 10 beginning in 2025-26, all students must take the first board test, which serves as the primary examination. Those who succeed will be able to take a second exam within the same academic year to enhance their grades in up to three disciplines such as science, math, social science, or languages.
Students who fail in one or two subjects in the first exam can appear for the second exam under the compartment category. However, students who miss three or more subjects in the first exam will be marked as Essential Repeat and will not be allowed to take the second exam. They will have to appear again in the following year’s main exams.
CBSE has also clarified that students cannot opt for new or additional subjects after passing Class 10, and no stand-alone subject exams will be allowed post results.
Who can take the CBSE second board exam: Detailed eligibility criteria
The CBSE has established detailed eligibility criteria for both the first and second board examinations under the new system, which will begin with the academic year 2025-26. While the first exam will be considered the major board exam, the second will provide additional opportunities for certain types of students.
To appear in the first board examination, the following categories of students are eligible:
–Fresh Candidates of Class 10: These are students appearing for their first attempt in the current academic year.
–Second Chance Compartment Candidates: Students who had previously failed and are appearing for their second compartment attempt.
–Essential Repeat Students: Those who were declared “Essential Repeat” in the previous year’s result.
–Improvement Category: Students appearing to improve their performance in subjects they had already passed.
For the second board examination (likely to be held in May 2026), CBSE has allowed the following categories of students:
–Improvement in up to 3 Subjects: Students can choose to improve their marks in a maximum of three main subjects.
–First or Third Chance Compartment: Students appearing either for their first or third chance compartment attempt.
–Compartment Plus Improvement: Candidates who want to take both a compartment and improvement exam.
–Improvement for Students Passed with Replacement Subject: Students who passed using a replacement subject and now wish to improve marks in their original subject.
The Board clarified that the mode of exam, syllabus and question pattern of exams will be the same as it is currently.
When will CBSE Board Exam results be declared, and will it affect Class 11 admissions?
According to CBSE’s notification, the first board examination results will be revealed in April, followed by the second examination results in June. This timeframe permits students who are happy with their performance on the first exam to proceed with Class 11 admissions without waiting for the second exam.
Importantly, if pupils do not choose to take the second examination to enhance their performance, they can utilize their first examination results to apply for admission to Class 11. These results will be available digitally via DigiLocker.
However, final passing documents, such as the official marksheet and merit certificate, will be awarded only after the second board examination is completed and the results are declared in June. As a result, while students can seek provisional admission to Class 11 based on their first exam results, the official certification will be issued once both exams have been completed.
Source: IE
