CBSE Class 10 Board Exams Set for Twice a Year Starting 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Starting from 2026, CBSE Class 10 board exams will be conducted twice a year—a major reform aimed at reducing exam pressure and providing more opportunities for students. Here are the key details about this new system:

Two Exam Phases:

Phase 1: Mandatory exam held from mid-February to early March (e.g., February 17 to March 6, 2026).
Phase 2: Optional exam held in May (e.g., May 5 to May 20, 2026) for improvement or reappearance in up to three subjects.

Subjects Coverage:

Phase 1 will cover core subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English.
Phase 2 will focus on regional and foreign languages as well as elective subjects like Computer Applications, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence.

Exam Timings:

Exams will be held in the morning session, typically from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Purpose and Benefits:

The first attempt is compulsory for all students.
The second attempt is optional and helps students improve marks in up to three subjects or clear any failed papers.
This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which aims to reduce exam stress by offering a second chance within the same academic year.

Results Announcement:

Results for the February exams will be declared by April.
Results for the May exams will be announced by the end of June.

Additional Notes:

Internal assessments will continue to be conducted only once per session.
For schools following a winter session calendar, students may choose either of the two exam phases to appear in.

This change is significant as it provides flexibility for students to better manage academic stress and improve their performance without waiting for a whole year to reattempt exams.

In summary, from 2026 onwards, Class 10 students under CBSE will have two board exam opportunities annually—with the first being compulsory in February and a second optional exam in May for improvement or reexamination in selected subjects.