- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:44 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
CBSE Class 10 exams twice a year: In a landmark decision, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved conducting Class 10 board examinations twice a year starting from the 2026 academic session. This policy aims to reduce student stress and provide another opportunity to improve performance. The first phase of the exam will be conducted in February, while the second will be held in May, confirms Exam Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj.
Students will have the option to appear in either or both sessions. If a student is satisfied with their performance in the first session, they can skip the second. However, if they wish to improve, they may attempt the May phase. The better score out of the two will be retained and reflected in the final result.
CBSE approves norms to conduct Class-10 board exams twice a year from 2026: Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 25, 2025
Mandatory for Class-10 students to appear in first phase of board exams, second phase optional: CBSE.
Twice-a-year CBSE Class-10 board exams: First phase results… pic.twitter.com/zwmxhoLMef
CBSE Class 10 Exam Schedule from 2026
| Exam Phase | Month | Result Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | February | April |
| Phase 2 | May | June |
CBSE officials, including Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj, confirmed that this reform aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for flexibility and stress-free assessment systems.
Internal Assessment & Practicals: Once a Year Only
Despite two sets of exams, internal assessments and practical exams will be conducted only once per academic year. The practical scores will remain the same for both exam sessions. The final marksheet, to be issued after the second phase in May, will incorporate the best performance of the student.
Key Differences: Current vs. New Exam Format
| Aspect | Current Format | New Format (2026 Onward) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year | Twice a Year (Feb & May) |
| Retest Option | Supplementary Exam | May Phase as Improvement |
| Internal Assessment | Once | Once |
| Final Score Considered | Single Attempt | Best of Two Attempts |
A Step Towards Reduced Academic Pressure
This new two-phase exam system is designed to eliminate the anxiety of “one-shot” exams. Students will no longer have to wait for supplementary tests. With this structure, performance pressure is expected to reduce significantly, especially for average and underconfident students.
Implementation and Policy Background
The idea was first floated earlier in 2024 and has now been formally adopted by CBSE. Inspired by global best practices, the system encourages learning over memorization. CBSE also confirmed that this move applies initially to Class 10, with possible extension to Class 12 in the future depending on the outcome.
The revised exam pattern for Class 10 board students is a welcome change for the academic landscape in India. With dual attempts and retention of the better score, students gain a fairer shot at success while maintaining the academic integrity of the board examinations.