CBSE Makes It Official: 2 Board Exams for Class 10 from Next Year
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced that from the academic year 2025-26, Class 10 students will have the option to take two board examinations. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to reduce academic pressure and provide students with an opportunity to improve their performance.
CBSE has released a draft policy detailing the implementation of the dual-exam system, which will be introduced in 2026. Stakeholders, including schools, teachers, students, and parents, have been invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes by 9 March 2025.
Key Changes in the CBSE Exam System
The decision to conduct two board exams stems from NEP 2020’s recommendation to move away from high-stakes assessments and introduce flexibility in student evaluations. According to the policy, students will be allowed to attempt their board exams twice within an academic year, with the second attempt serving as an improvement opportunity.
The draft scheme highlights the following aspects:
– Exam Scheduling: Class 10 and 12 board exams will begin on the first Tuesday after 15 February.
– Exam Phases: The first board exam will be conducted as per the full syllabus, with a second attempt scheduled later for those who wish to improve their scores.
– Subject Grouping: Major subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will follow the existing exam schedule, while regional and foreign languages, along with elective subjects, will be grouped together for efficient scheduling.
– Fixed Exam Centres: Students will appear for both exams at the same centres assigned in the first phase.
– Student Participation: In 2026, an estimated 26.6 lakh Class 10 students and 20 lakh Class 12 students are expected to take the exams.
– Accessibility for Special Students: The scheme ensures continued support for students with special needs, maintaining current accommodations and examination formats.
– No Additional Exams for Sports Quota Students: Sports students will need to appear in either of the two board exams, with no separate examination provided.
Impact on Students and Stakeholders
CBSE believes the dual-exam model will ease academic stress and provide students with a fair chance to enhance their scores. The move also seeks to reduce dependence on coaching classes by making exams competency-based rather than reliant on rote learning.
The draft policy is currently open for public feedback, and CBSE will finalise the framework after reviewing suggestions from stakeholders. The initiative marks a significant shift in India’s school examination system, aligning it with global practices that focus on continuous assessment rather than one-time high-pressure testing.
