NEW DELHI: Starting next year, Class 10 students will be allowed to take CBSE board exams twice year, in February and again in May. The first attempt in February will be mandatory. Taking the second chance in May is optional and is mainly for those wishing to improve their scores.
The move, recommended in the new National Education Policy (NEP), is expected to reduce stress among students over annual exams and give them an opportunity to score better marks. “The first phase will be conducted in February and second in May.
The results for the two phases will be announced in April and June, respectively, ” said Sanyam Bhardwaj, Examination Controller, Central Board of Secondary Education. In the second phase of examination in May, students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects out of science, mathematics, social science and languages, he added.
Class 10 students from winter-bound schools will be allowed to appear for exams in any of the phases. Internal assessments will be conducted only once during the academic session. Exams under the first phase will begin on February 17, 2026 and the results will be declared in April.
The second exam is scheduled to commence on May 5, 2026 and the results will be out in June. The Ministry of Education said the new system will reduce pressure on students, offer flexibility, and promote stress-free learning. “It is a landmark shift towards competency- based assessments that value understanding over rote learning. This reform empowers students with choice, confidence, and second chances,” it stated.