CBSE 10th board exam twice a year from 2026: All you need to know about the scheme of the exam and more

CBSE's twice-a-year Class 10 board exam is divided into two parts - the regular main exam and another exam for improvement or the second exam.

Updated on: Jun 25, 2025, 21:00:02 IST

By HT Education Desk

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The Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE, has decided to conduct the Class 10 board examinations twice a year from 2026 - a move that the board feels will eliminate the ‘high stakes’ aspect of board exams, and making the pressure associated with it better distributed and less intense.

CBSE Class 10 Twice-a-Year Board Exam: Check important details on eligibility and more. (Representative image/HT file)

As per the board, it is mandatory to appear for the first exam (main exam) to appear for the second exam, wherein students will be allowed to improve their scores in any of the three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages.

Also read: CBSE Class 10 board exam twice a year from 2026, all students must take 1st exam

However, it is mandatory to appear for three or more subjects in the main exam to take the second exam.

Eligiblity to appear in the Main Exam:

As already informed, students will have to take the main examination first. The eligibility to appear in the main examination will be:

(a) Fresh students of Class 10

(b) Second Chance Compartment

(d) Improvement examination

Eligiblity to appear in the Second Exam:

(i) Improvement category up to 3 main subjects

(ii) First/Third Chance Compartment

(iii) Compartment Improvement

(iv) Improvement for the students passed by the replacement of the subject.

The CBSE informed that the syllabus for the both the examinations will remain the same.

Furthermore, while filling of LOC and appearing in the Main/first examination will be compulsory, the LOC for the second examinations will have to be filled in separately. No new names will be added to the LOC of the 2nd examination.

Besides, no change in subject will be allowed from first examination to second examinations except permitted as per policy, the CBSE informed.

Tentative schedule of exam

The CBSE informed that the main examination will continue to be conducted around mid-February, whereas the second exam will be held in May.

When will results be declared?

As per the CBSE, the result of main examinations will be declared in the month of April, and result of second examinations will be declared in the month of June.

The passing document will be issued to all the students after the results of second examinations, and the merit certificate will also be issued after second examination.

In addition, other facilities such as photocopy, verification and re-evaluation will be available only after declaration of results of both examination.

Meanwhile, those students who do not qualify in the main examination will be allowed provisional admission in Class 11, which will be confirmed based on the result of the second examination.

For more details, students, guardians and teachers may visit the official website of CBSE at cbse.gov.in.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT Education Desk
For over a decade, the Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk has been a trusted source for accurate, in-depth, and timely news on education and careers. We bring the latest updates on board exams, competitive exams, results, employment news, study abroad, scholarships, and school and college admissions, helping students, job seekers, and educators make informed decisions. Our Coverage Areas 1. Board Exams & Results: Comprehensive reporting on CBSE, CISCE, and state board exams (UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and others), including schedules, admit cards, answer keys, results, and career opportunities. 2. Competitive Exams: Insights into major exams like UPSC, JEE, NEET, GATE, CAT, SAT, and state and central government services. Exam Results: Timely updates on UPSC, SSC, SBI, IBPS, NTA, IIMs, and other competitive exam results. 3. Employment News: Notifications on government and private sector jobs, vacancies, eligibility, application processes, and results. 4. Study Abroad: Information on top universities, courses, tuition fees, scholarships, visa regulations, and career prospects for international students. Features & Analysis: Opinion pieces, expert explainers, deep-dive reports, and interviews with key figures in education. 5. Breaking Education News: Real-time updates on major policy changes, institutional reforms, and trends shaping the education sector. 6. With a commitment to factual, unbiased journalism, HT Digital’s Education Desk has seen continuous growth in readership, offering credible and engaging content tailored for students, parents, and professionals. Meet the Team 1. Nilesh Mathur – News Editor A journalist with 24 years of experience, including 18+ years at Hindustan Times, Nilesh leads editorial planning, ensures factual accuracy, and enhances audience engagement through strategic content. 2. Papri Chanda – Deputy Chief Content Producer With over a decade of experience in education journalism, Papri specializes in exam-related content, study abroad insights, and education trends. She also explores new opportunities in education that benefit students. 3. Bishal – Senior Content Producer Active in the education and jobs sector since 2019, Bishal focuses on tracking developments, analyzing trends, and crafting informative content for students and job aspirants. 4. Gaurav Sarma – Deputy Chief Content Producer A multimedia journalist with 9+ years of experience, Gaurav is skilled in research-based storytelling, feature writing, and reporting on competitive exams, online courses, and education trends. At Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk, we strive to be the go-to platform for students and professionals navigating the dynamic world of education and careers.Read More

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