The CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has introduced a new examination policy for Class 10 students starting from 2026, currently in its draft stage. As per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this reform aims to reduce exam stress and allow students to improve their performance with two board exams per year. The board has invited feedback from stakeholders—students, parents, and teachers—meaning the final policy might see some tweaks. This blog breaks down all the key details of the proposed system, including exam dates, subject grouping, flexible schedules, LOC (List of Candidates), and other important changes.
Key Changes in the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026
1️⃣ Two Board Exams in a Year
- First Exam: February – March 2026
- Second Exam (Improvement Attempt): May 2026
- Best score will be considered in the final marksheet.
| Exam Attempt | Exam Period | Result Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Exam | February – March 2026 | 20 April 2026 |
| Second Exam (Improvement Attempt) | May 2026 | 30 June 2026 |
This change allows students to improve their marks without losing a year, making the exam system more student-friendly.
2️⃣ Exam Schedule: Fixed vs. Flexible Subjects
Fixed Schedule Subjects (One Exam Date Only)
These subjects will have a fixed date, just like the current system:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
- Hindi
- English
Flexible Schedule Subjects (Multiple Exam Dates)
CBSE will conduct multiple exam dates for these subjects to manage student numbers efficiently:
| Subject Category | Examples |
| Regional & Foreign Languages | French, Sanskrit, Bengali, etc. |
| Vocational & Elective Subjects | IT, AI, Business Studies, NCC, Painting, etc. |
| Skill-Based Courses | Agriculture, Retail, Beauty & Wellness, etc. |
- These subjects will be conducted 2 or 3 times on different days.
- Students will be assigned an exam date by CBSE, but they cannot choose it themselves.
- Once the exam is over, question papers will be collected to prevent leaks.
Example:
- Suppose 5 lakh students have opted for Data Science.
- Instead of conducting the exam on one day, CBSE may conduct it on three different dates.
- A student will be allotted only one of these dates, based on CBSE’s scheduling.
3️⃣ No Supplementary Exams!
- If a student fails in the first exam, they must take the second exam in May.
- There will be no additional compartment exams beyond these two attempts.
- Students must register for the first exam; new students cannot register only for the second exam.
| Scenario | Solution |
| Failed in the first exam | Appear in the second exam (May) |
| Want to improve marks | Take the second exam (May) |
| Skipped first exam | Cannot register for the second exam |
| Failed in both attempts | Must reappear next year as a private candidate |
4️⃣ LOC (List of Candidates) – Registration Rules
The List of Candidates (LOC) is the official registration process for CBSE board exams. Schools must submit student details before the exams.
Key LOC Rules:
- LOC must be finalized by September of the previous year.
- Students cannot change subjects after LOC submission (except skipping the first exam attempt).
- Students must pay fees for both exams upfront (fees are non-refundable).
- Students who skip the first exam cannot register fresh for the second exam.
5️⃣ Results & Marksheet Changes
| First Exam Result | 20 April 2026 |
| Second Exam Result | 30 June 2026 |
| Final Marksheet | Includes scores from both attempts, best score highlighted |
| Passing Certificate | Issued only after the second exam |
This new system ensures students get the best possible result on their marksheet.
6️⃣ Exam Centers & Fees
No Self-Centers: A self-center refers to a school that serves as an examination center only for its own students rather than hosting students from multiple schools. Schools will be evaluated before becoming an exam center, and the same centers will be used for both exams.
🔹 Under the new CBSE exam policy, schools will not be allowed to conduct exams exclusively for their own students.
🔹 Examination centers will be assigned based on CBSE’s evaluation, and students may be allotted a different school as their exam center.
🔹 This ensures fairness, prevents malpractice, and maintains exam integrity.
🔹 If a school is in a remote area where no nearby centers are available, CBSE may allow it to become a center, but this will be strictly monitored.
Exam Fees:
- Fees for both exams must be paid at once during LOC registration.
- No refund if a student doesn’t appear in the second exam.
What This Means For:
- Students: Less stress but more planning needed for two attempts.
- Parents: Higher fees upfront; monitor LOC submission closely.
- Teachers: Extra effort in scheduling and preparing students for two exams.
The two-board exam policy starting in 2026 is currently being implemented only for CBSE Class 10.
For Class 12, the draft policy document does not specify a similar two-exam system yet. However, Class 12 board exams will continue as per the current format, with one main exam in February-March and a supplementary exam in July for students who need to improve their scores.
🔹 Key Differences:
- Class 10 (from 2026): Two board exams per year (Feb-March & May).
- Class 12 (as of now): One board exam per year with a supplementary exam in July.
Old vs. New
| Aspect | Current System (2025) | New System (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Exams per Year | One (Feb-March) | Two (Feb-March & May) |
| Improvement | Supplementary exam later | Instant second chance |
| Stress Level | High (one-shot) | Lower (two tries) |
| Exam Centers | Self-centers allowed | No self-centers |
Pros & Cons of the New CBSE Exam Policy 2026
| Advantages | Challenges |
| Less Exam Stress – Two attempts reduce pressure. | More Workload for Schools & Teachers – Extra exams mean more evaluation. |
| Better Learning – Focus on understanding, not rote learning. | Higher Fees – Students must pay upfront for both exams. |
| More Flexibility – Students can improve marks without losing a year. | Strict Rules – No subject changes after September registration. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible for the second exam in May?
Any student who appeared for the first exam in February-March can take the second exam for improvement. Students who failed in the first attempt must take the second exam.
2. Can I change my subject after submitting LOC?
No, subject changes are not allowed after the LOC is submitted in September. However, students can choose to skip the first exam and take the subject in the second exam.
3. Will my school be my exam center?
No, CBSE has banned self-centers to ensure fairness. Students will be allotted exam centers based on CBSE’s evaluation.
4. Will the marksheet show both scores?
Yes, the final marksheet will display scores from both exams, but the higher score will be considered for final results.
5. What happens if I fail both exams?
If a student fails both attempts, they will have to reappear next year as a private candidate. There are no additional attempts beyond the two exams.
6. Can I appear only for the second exam?
No, fresh registration for the second exam is not allowed. Only students who took the first exam can appear for the second exam.
7. How will practical exams be conducted?
Practical and internal assessments will be conducted only once before the first exam. The same practical marks will be carried forward for the second exam.
8. Will there be any impact on Class 12 exams?
No, as of now, this two-board exam policy applies only to Class 10. Class 12 will continue with the existing one board exam system.
This is a draft, so feedback might tweak it. Think lower fees, extra exam dates for flexible subjects, or practical exam fixes—stay tuned to CBSE’s site!
Final Verdict:
Yes! This new CBSE policy, currently a draft awaiting stakeholder feedback, reduces student stress, encourages conceptual learning, and gives you a second shot at success. Students can breathe easier with two attempts, but plan ahead—pick subjects wisely by September 2025 and prep for core subjects like Math and Science early. Parents, note the upfront fees, and teachers, brace for extra scheduling. The final rules might shift based on feedback (e.g., fee adjustments or exam date tweaks), so stay tuned. What do you think—game-changer or extra hassle? Let us know below!
Download the Official Draft Policy
Feel free ask any doubt in the comment section.