CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026: LOC Submission Started – Check Full Details 

If you appeared in the CBSE Class 10 Board Examination held between February 17 and March 11, 2026, this update is directly for you. CBSE has officially released Circular No. CBSE/LOC/X/2025-2026 dated March 17, 2026, launching the LOC (List of Candidates) submission process for the Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026. The registration window opened on March 18, 2026, and is currently active.

This is a historic first: CBSE is conducting two board exams for Class 10 in a single academic year, as part of the Two Board Examination Policy notified on June 25, 2025, under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The second exam gives you a structured, official chance to improve your scores or clear compartment subjects, all within the same academic session, no waiting for next year.

What Is LOC and Why Is It Important for You to Know?

LOC stands for List of Candidates. It is the official registration list that your school submits to CBSE through its portal, confirming which students wish to appear in the second board exam and in which subjects. You cannot apply to CBSE directly; only your school principal can submit the LOC on your behalf. If your name is not on the LOC, no admit card will be issued to you, regardless of your eligibility. This is why acting before the deadline is non-negotiable.

LOC Submission Schedule: Three-Phase System

CBSE has structured the entire process into three phases, giving you and your school enough flexibility while ensuring the board has data in advance for exam preparations.

Important: The portal closes at exactly 11:59:59 PM on the last day of each phase. There are no extensions under any circumstances.

Phase 1: Advance Registration (March 18–31, 2026) - Currently Open

If you have already decided, even before your results are out, that you want to attempt the second exam in specific subjects, your school can register you right now. CBSE has specifically encouraged Phase 1 submission because it helps the board plan logistics, allocate examination centres, and prepare subject-wise arrangements well in advance. Note that the fee is not paid during Phase 1; it is paid online within five days of result declaration. So you can register now and pay later.

Phase 2: Post-Result Window (5 Days After Result Declaration)

This is where most students will register. Once your first board results are out, you have five days to assess your performance, decide which subjects (up to three) you want to improve, and have your school submit the LOC and complete the fee payment, all within the same five-day window. Students from the Middle East, where exams were cancelled, can also submit their LOC in Phase 2 after the results.

Phase 3: Late Fee Window (Day 7–8 After Result Declaration)

This is a last resort. A flat late fee of Rs. 2,000 per student is charged over and above the regular exam fee. It is non-waivable. If you miss your Phase 2, then this will be your only remaining option, but it comes at a cost. So, plan your submission during Phase 1 or Phase 2 to avoid this entirely.

Who Can Appear in the Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026: Complete Eligibility Criteria

It’s extremely crucial to know that not every Class 10 student is eligible. Here is the full list of eligible categories as per the official circular:

• Passed students who want to improve marks in up to 3 subjects: Science, Mathematics, Social Science, or Languages.
• Students placed in the Compartment category after the first exam, they can appear to clear pending subjects.
• Students who passed Class 10 by replacing a subject with their 6th subject.
• Students placed under the UFM (Use of Unfair Means) Category 1, if otherwise eligible.
• Students placed in the Compartment in the 2025 examinations (First/Third Chance Compartment).
• Students who received special permission from the board, including sports students approved by CBSE.
• Compartment + Improvement combination cases.

Who is NOT eligible: If you failed in 3 or more subjects, or did not appear in 3 or more subjects in the 2026 main exam, CBSE places you in the Essential Repeat (ER) category. ER students cannot appear in the second exam at all; they must wait for the main board exam in February 2027. Also, no new student who was not part of the first board exam can be added to the second exam LOC.

Download PDF of the Official Circular

Watch the Complete Explanation Here

Fee Structure: Complete Breakdown

All fee payments are accepted in online mode only: no offline, cash, or direct bank deposit is accepted. For schools outside India, SWIFT payments may take 2–3 days to reflect, so international schools must complete the process well before the deadline.

Key Rules You Must Know Before Registering for Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026

• The syllabus and the exam pattern will be the same as the first board exam; there will be no reduction whatsoever. NCERT textbooks and CBSE-prescribed content remain your preparation base.
• Internal assessment and practical marks carry forward automatically from the first exam. Only the theory paper is re-attempted.
• Best-of-two scoring: your final marks will reflect whichever score is higher, from the first or second attempt. If you score lower on the second attempt, your first exam marks are protected.
• Subject changes are not permitted from the first exam to the second, except in specific Mathematics-related cases permitted by CBSE policy.
• No corrections to student data (name, date of birth, school details) are allowed in the second exam LOC.
• CWSN candidates registered in the first exam will continue to receive the same facilities. No new candidate can be registered under CWSN in the second exam.
• Compartment students must resubmit a fresh LOC since their subject combinations may differ from the improvement category.

Examination Centres: Plan Your Travel in Advance

CBSE has clearly stated that the number of examination centres for the second board exam will be significantly fewer than in the main February-March exams. This means your centre may be in a different school or location within your city or district, possibly farther from home.

Once your centre is allotted by CBSE, it cannot be changed under any circumstances. Your school is responsible for informing you and your parents about this well in advance, so travel arrangements can be planned.

Exam Dates and Pattern

Exam Schedule: The CBSE Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026 will be held from May 15 to June 1, 2026. The detailed subject-wise datesheet will be published on cbse.gov.in.

Exam Pattern: This exam will be identical to the first board exam and will contain a balanced mix of competency-based questions, objective-type questions, and descriptive questions. Passing marks remain 33% in each subject and in aggregate.

How to Register in the CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026: Step-by-Step Process

• Step 1: Approach your school and inform them of your decision to appear in the second exam.
• Step 2: Your school verifies your eligibility based on CBSE's official criteria.
• Step 3: The school submits your name and subject choices on the CBSE LOC portal before the phase deadline.
• Step 4: The fee is paid online by the school within the prescribed window after result declaration.
• Step 5: CBSE processes the LOC, allots an exam centre, and issues your admit card.

You have no direct role in the portal process, but your responsibility is to approach your school early and clearly communicate your intent.

No Improvement in Internal Assessment

This is an important point that many students miss. The second board exam gives you the opportunity to improve only your theory paper marks. There is no provision to improve internal assessment, practicals, or project marks. These are year-long continuous assessments and cannot be re-evaluated through the second exam.

Final Takeaways: What You Should Do Right Now

The CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 is a genuine, risk-free opportunity. The best-of-two scoring policy ensures that attempting the second exam carries zero downside. Because your first exam marks are always protected. Here is your immediate action checklist:

• Talk to your school today as Phase 1 closes March 31, 2026.
• Decide which subjects you want to improve, a maximum of three from Science, Maths, Social Science, or Languages.
• Confirm your eligibility with your school principal.
• Ensure your school completes fee payment within the deadline after the results are declared.
• Prepare using the same NCERT books and CBSE syllabus, as nothing has changed.

Use this second board exam as your turning point, not a backup. You now have clarity, experience, and a real chance to improve without risk. Stay focused, trust your preparation, and act on time. This opportunity can redefine your results; make sure you use it to its full potential.

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