Starting in 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce a significant change in the Class 10 board examination system, allowing students to appear for the exams twice a year. This initiative aims to provide students with greater flexibility and reduce academic pressure by giving them an additional opportunity to improve their scores without waiting for an entire year. However, this reform has sparked mixed reactions from parents, teachers, and education experts.
What’s Changing?
From 2026 onwards, Class 10 students will have the option to take board exams twice a year. They can choose to appear in either session or both, depending on their confidence and preparation. If they are satisfied with their performance in the first attempt, they may opt out of specific subjects in the second round. This system eliminates the need to wait an entire year for a second attempt, allowing students to strategize their study plans more effectively.
Key Highlights of the New System
- The draft norms were approved by CBSE and are open for public feedback until March 9, 2025.
- Both exam sessions will cover the full syllabus and follow the same textbooks.
- Exam centres will remain the same for both attempts.
- Exam fees will increase, payable at the time of application.
- The May session will replace supplementary exams, and no special examinations will be conducted under any circumstances.
- The List of Candidates (LOC) will be finalized by September 2025 for the February 2026 exam. Only students listed in September 2025 will be eligible for the May 2026 exam.
- Students cannot change subjects once the LOC is finalized. However, they can skip a subject in the first exam and take a different one in the second session.
- Practical and internal assessments will be conducted only once per year.
- The final marksheet will display scores from both sessions, with the best score highlighted for each subject.
Why is CBSE Implementing This Change?
The decision aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for reducing the ‘high-stakes’ nature of board examinations. By offering students an opportunity to improve their scores within the same academic year, the new system seeks to minimize stress and promote a more balanced approach to learning and assessment.
Mixed Reactions from Parents and Teachers
The move has received a mixed response from parents and educators. While some welcome the increased flexibility, others worry about the potential drawbacks.
Support for the New System: Anjali Mehta, a parent from Mumbai, appreciates the change. “Having two chances in a year reduces the immense pressure on students. My son can now plan his studies better and has a safety net if things don’t go well the first time.”
Suresh Iyer, an English teacher at a renowned school in Mumbai, believes the move will positively impact students’ mental health. “Knowing there is a second chance within the same year can alleviate a lot of stress. It’s a welcome change for both students and educators.”
Rajeshkumar Patel, a mathematics teacher at Ahmedabad International School, sees the potential for structured teaching. “This system allows us to refine our teaching methods. However, we must ensure that students don’t take the first attempt lightly, thinking they have a backup option.”
Concerns About Added Pressure and Logistical Challenges: On the other hand, some parents and teachers are skeptical about the effectiveness of the reform.
Priya Nair, a parent from Mumbai, acknowledges the benefits but also sees potential issues. “The option to appear twice gives students control over their performance, but I worry that some may not take the first attempt seriously, leading to unnecessary stress later.”
Neha Trivedi, a parent from Ahmedabad, fears it could lead to continuous exam stress. “Instead of reducing pressure, this might increase it. Students will feel like they are constantly preparing for exams, leaving little time to relax. As a parent, I would want my son to appear for both exams, but I feel it’s an unnecessary burden.”
Ravi Sharma, a teacher at a CBSE school in Mumbai, highlights the logistical concerns. “Conducting board exams twice a year will require additional planning, infrastructure, and staffing. Not all schools may be equipped to handle this effectively.”
A Step Forward with Challenges Ahead
While CBSE’s initiative aims to provide students with flexibility and reduce stress, its success will depend on proper implementation. The shift to biannual exams introduces both opportunities and challenges for students, parents, and schools. Whether this change will truly ease academic pressure or inadvertently increase it remains to be seen as the new system unfolds in 2026.
For now, the policy remains open for public feedback, and its final execution will determine how well it meets its intended goals.