CBSE Class 10 Exams Twice A Year From 2026 – First Mandatory, Second Optional

In a major shift to the board exam system, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that Class 10 board exams will be held twice a year from 2026 onwards. This change is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reforms, which aim to reduce exam-related stress and offer students more flexibility.

Starting with the 2026 academic year, students will be able to appear for the board exams in two phases, once in February and again in May. While the first exam is compulsory, the second is optional and intended for students who want to improve their performance or clear compartments.

What’s New in the CBSE Class 10 Exam Format?

• Two board exams in one academic year

  • First exam: Held in February. Mandatory for all students.
  • Second exam: Held in May. Optional and open to students who wish to improve their scores or appear in compartment subjects.

• Improvement attempt

  • Students can reappear in up to three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages to improve marks.
  • Only those who pass all subjects in the first phase will be eligible for improvement.

• Compartment attempt

  • Students with a compartment result in the first exam can take the second phase exam under the compartment category.

• Eligibility for the second exam

  • Students who miss three or more subjects in the February exam will not be allowed to appear in May.
  • They will be marked under the Essential Repeat category and can appear next year.

• Internal assessment

  • Will be conducted only once in the academic year, before the first exam.

• Syllabus and pattern

  • Both exams will be based on the same full syllabus and follow the same paper pattern.

CBSE has made certain exceptions for specific cases:

• Winter-bound schools: Students can appear in either of the two phases.
• Sportspersons: If national-level competitions clash with the February schedule, they can treat the May exam as their main attempt.
• Children with special needs may be allowed the flexibility to appear in the second exam as their main attempt, based on their situation.

Result Timeline

• February exam results will be released in April.
• May exam results will be declared in June.
• The better of the two scores will be considered final.

Class 11 Admission Under New System

Students who pass the February board exam can use their result to apply for provisional admission to Class 11. This provisional result will be made available on DigiLocker and can be used until final documents are issued.

• Final documents and certificates will be issued only after the May exam results.
• If a student appears for improvement or compartment in May, their final admission to Class 11 can be confirmed after the June result.
• CBSE has confirmed that re-evaluation, answer sheet copies, and mark verification will be available only after the June results.

This new process allows students to move forward in their academic journey without losing a full year, even if they opt for a second attempt.

This new format aligns with the recommendations of NEP 2020. It aims to shift away from high-stress, one-time board exams and toward a more flexible, student-friendly evaluation system. According to CBSE officials, the change is designed to help students get another chance within the same year without waiting for a full academic cycle.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has supported the move, calling it a “much-needed step” that reflects global best practices and promotes a less stressful academic environment.

How Interval Learning Can Help

This new exam structure gives students more chances, but it also means they need consistent preparation across the year. At Interval Learning, we offer structured academic tuition for students from Class 1 to 12, including support for CBSE Class 10 board preparation.

Our personalized classes, expert teachers, and concept-based learning ensure that students are well-prepared for both the February and May exams. 

Whether your child needs help strengthening subject fundamentals or wants to improve performance in the second attempt, we’re here to guide them.

Stay ahead, stay prepared. Contact us to Explore academic tuition at Interval Learning.