CBSE to Hold Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year from 2026: A Student-Friendly Reform
New Delhi, June 2025 – In a transformative step aimed at easing academic stress and increasing student success rates, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that Class 10 board exams will now be conducted twice annually starting in 2026. This major shift in India’s secondary education system was officially confirmed by CBSE’s Controller of Examinations, Sanyam Bhardwaj.
As per the new plan, all Class 10 students will be required to appear in the first set of board exams, making it a compulsory assessment stage. The second round of exams, however, will be optional—students can choose to reappear for subjects in which they seek to improve their scores or feel they underperformed during the first attempt.
The results of the first phase will be released by April, giving students timely insight into their performance. Those opting for the second round will receive their results in June. This dual-phase approach aims to ease the intense pressure that typically accompanies a single high-stakes examination, giving students a second chance without repeating an entire academic year.
CBSE has also clarified that internal assessments for Class 10 will be conducted only once, regardless of how many times a student appears for the board exams. This ensures that the evaluation process remains streamlined and efficient, avoiding unnecessary repetition for both schools and students.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to create a more student-centric examination system. By reducing the emphasis on a single final exam, CBSE hopes to shift the focus toward deeper learning, conceptual clarity, and long-term understanding rather than rote preparation.
Educational institutions are now expected to adapt their teaching practices to align with this new format, while students and parents will need to strategize accordingly for two possible exam sessions in the year.
With its rollout in 2026, this new bi-annual board exam model may serve as a foundation for more comprehensive educational reforms in India, prioritizing mental well-being, continuous learning, and academic fairness.
