CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced that the Class 10 board exams will be held twice a year starting with the 2026 academic session. This is a big step towards more flexible learning. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 says that students will be able to take the tests twice, once in February and once in May. This is meant to lower their stress levels. Students can improve their grades in up to three topics, but the highest grade will be the one that counts.
Officials from CBSE made it clear that the syllabus, the way the tests are set up, and the way the tests are graded will all be the same for both sessions. Internal assessments will be held only once in an academic year. The first exam will be compulsory, and the second will be optional, providing flexibility, especially for students with health complications, sports engagements, or personal difficulties.
The move has drawn mixed responses from teachers. Sangita Gajbhare, Principal of Orchids The International School, Thane Campus, welcomed the move. “Having two board exams in Grade 10 can actually benefit students by reducing the pressure of covering the entire syllabus in one go. When the curriculum is split into two terms, students are able to focus on a smaller portion at a time, which supports better understanding and retention. While it does bring additional responsibilities for the school in terms of exam coordination, evaluation, and administration, the academic relief it offers students makes it a welcome step,” she said. She also mentioned that Orchids already has term-wise evaluations, so the shift is smooth.
On the other hand, Mr. Kuriakose V.K, the Principal of ST. Thomas School, Indirapuram, expressed concerns. “CBSE's new policy of two Board examinations in a year for Class X is like old wine in a new bottle. The compartment and improvement exams have already been in practice. What is new in it? Giving more chances to students will make them lazy because below average students may not work hard and prepare well for the first exam,” he remarked.
As CBSE inched closer to finalizing guidelines for implementation, schools in India are gearing up for opportunities as well as operational challenges presented by this two-exam model.
