CBSE 10th Exams 2026 : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to make a big change in the format of class 10th board examinations from 2026. Now students will get a chance to take the exam twice a year, but it will be mandatory to follow certain rules. This new system will give students more opportunities and facility to improve. Let’s understand what are the new rules, when will the exam be held and how it will affect the students.
Board exams will be held twice
CBSE will now conduct class 10 board exams twice a year. The first exam will be held in February and the second exam will be taken in May. This change will come into effect from 2026 and is aimed at giving students a second chance to score better.
It will be mandatory to appear in the first exam
It will be mandatory for every student to appear in the first exam. This exam will be considered as the main exam. If a student does not appear in at least three subjects in the first exam, he will not be allowed to appear in the second exam to be held in May.
Second chance for supplementary students
Students who are unable to pass in any subject in the first exam or who get compartment, will be given a chance to appear in the second exam to be held in May. In this way, they will get another opportunity to correct their mistake.
There will be no difference in the syllabus
There will be the same syllabus in both the exams. This means that students will be able to focus on the same type of study throughout the year. There will be no different syllabus so that they do not get confused in preparation.
Opportunity to improve marks in three subjects
Students who pass the first exam but are not satisfied with their marks will get a chance to re-appear in up to three subjects in the second exam. Out of these, they can choose any of the subjects from science, mathematics, social science and language.
You will not be able to change the subjects
The subjects selected in the first exam will remain in the second exam as well. Students cannot change the subject in between. For this, separate forms will have to be filled for both the sessions.
When will the result be declared?
The result of the first exam to be held between February and March is expected in April 2026. At the same time, the result of the second exam, which will be held in May, will be declared in June 2026.
Date sheet information
First exam: 17 February to 7 March 2026
Result of the first exam: Estimated 20 April 2026
Second exam: 5 May to 20 May 2026
Result of the second exam: Estimated 30 June 2026
When will the new books come?
CBSE has also clarified that the examinations to be held in 2026 will be based on the old syllabus for now. Books of the new syllabus will be available to the students from the session 2026-27. That is, the exams of 2026 will be based on the old syllabus only and new books for class 8th, 10th, and 12th will start from next year.