The CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has introduced a new examination policy for Class 10 students starting from 2026, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This reform aims to reduce exam stress, encourage conceptual learning over rote memorization, and provide a more competency-based assessment system. Additionally, a draft policy proposes two board exams per year for Class 10 students, offering a chance to improve scores. This blog breaks down the key changes in the exam pattern, question formats, internal assessments, and the proposed two-exam system.
Key Changes in the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026
1. Revised Exam Pattern: Focus on Competency-Based Learning
CBSE is shifting towards a more applied and conceptual approach for Class 10 board exams in 2026:
- Objective-Type Questions: Up to 50% of questions in most subjects will be multiple-choice questions (MCQs) or competency-based (e.g., case-based or source-based questions).
- Reduced Descriptive Questions: The weightage of long-answer questions will drop to 30%, encouraging deeper understanding over memorization.
- Internal Assessments: These will now contribute 20%–30% to the final grade and will focus on competency-based tasks like projects, lab work, and application-based activities.
- Digital Evaluation: CBSE will implement AI-supported on-screen marking for faster and fairer results.
This change ensures exams test real-world thinking skills, reducing reliance on rote learning.
2. Two Board Exams in a Year (Proposed Draft Policy)
CBSE has proposed conducting Class 10 board exams twice a year to give students a chance to improve their performance:
- First Exam: February – March 2026
- Second Exam (Improvement Attempt): May 2026
- Best Score Considered: The higher score from the two attempts will be reflected in the final marksheet.
| Exam Attempt | Exam Period | Result Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Exam | February – March 2026 | 20 April 2026 |
| Second Exam (Improvement Attempt) | May 2026 | 30 June 2026 |
- Both exams cover the full syllabus.
- No compartment exams; only these two attempts are permitted.
| Scenario | Solution |
| Failed in the first exam | Appear in the second exam (May) |
| Want to improve marks | Take the second exam (May) |
| Skipped first exam | Cannot register for the second exam |
| Failed in both attempts | Must reappear next year as a private candidate |
3. Exam Schedule: Fixed vs. Flexible Subjects
The proposed draft policy outlines how subjects will be scheduled:
- Fixed Schedule Subjects (One Exam Date Only): Core subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Hindi, and English will have fixed exam dates.
- Flexible Schedule Subjects (Multiple Exam Dates): Subjects like Regional & Foreign Languages (e.g., French, Sanskrit), Vocational & Elective Subjects (e.g., IT, AI), and Skill-Based Courses (e.g., Retail, Agriculture) may be conducted on 2–3 different days. Students will be assigned a date by CBSE but cannot choose it themselves. Question papers will be collected after each exam to prevent leaks.
- Suppose 5 lakh students have opted for IT. Instead of conducting the exam on one day, CBSE may conduct it on three different dates. A student will be allotted only one of these dates, based on CBSE’s scheduling.
4. Syllabus and Assessment Details
- No Syllabus Change: The syllabus for 2026 remains the same as per current textbooks; only the assessment method is being updated.
- Practical/Internal Assessments: These will be conducted only once before the first exam, and the scores will carry forward if a student opts for the second exam.
5. Exam Centers & Fees (Proposed Draft Policy)
- No Self-Centers: Schools cannot act as exam centers exclusively for their own students. CBSE will evaluate and assign centers to ensure fairness and prevent malpractice.
- Exam Fees: Fees for both exams must be paid in advance during registration (List of Candidates, or LOC). No refund is sanctioned even if a student skips the second exam.
What This Means For:
- Students: They might feel less stress and focus more on understanding, but they need to adapt to more competency-based questions.
- Parents: They may feel the burden of high fees and they need to ensure timely LOC submission.
- Teachers: Prepare students for new question formats and manage scheduling for two exams.
Old vs. New Exam System
| Aspect | Current System (2025) | New System (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Question Types | More descriptive questions | 50% MCQs/competency-based, 30% descriptive |
| Internal Assessments | Less weightage | 20%–30%, competency-focused |
| Exams per Year | One (Feb-March) | Two (Feb-March & May) |
| Improvement | Supplementary exam later | Instant second chance in May |
| Exam Centers | Self-centers allowed | No self-centers |
Pros & Cons of the New CBSE Exam Policy 2026
| Advantages | Challenges |
| Less Exam Stress – Two attempts reduce pressure. | More Workload for Schools & Teachers – Extra exams mean more evaluation. |
| Better Learning – Focus on understanding, not rote learning. | Higher Fees – Students must pay upfront for both exams. |
| More Flexibility – Students can improve marks without losing a year. | Strict Rules – No subject changes after September registration. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of questions will be in the 2026 exams?
Up to 50% will be MCQs or competency-based, 30% will be descriptive, and 20%–30% will come from internal assessments focused on application-based tasks.
Who is eligible for the second exam in May?
Any student who appeared for the first exam in February-March can take the second exam for improvement. Students who failed in the first attempt must take the second exam.
Can I change my subject after submitting LOC?
No, subject changes are not allowed after the LOC is submitted in September. However, students can choose to skip the first exam and take the subject in the second exam.
Will my school be my exam center?
No, CBSE has banned self-centers to ensure fairness. Students will be allotted exam centers based on CBSE’s evaluation.
Will the marksheet show both scores?
Yes, the final marksheet will display scores from both exams, but the higher score will be considered for final results.
What happens if I fail both exams?
If a student fails both attempts, they will have to reappear next year as a private candidate. There are no additional attempts beyond the two exams.
Can I appear only for the second exam?
No, fresh registration for the second exam is not allowed. Only students who took the first exam can appear for the second exam.
How will practical exams be conducted?
Practical and internal assessments will be conducted only once before the first exam. The same practical marks will be carried forward for the second exam.
Will there be any impact on Class 12 exams?
No, as of now, this two-board exam policy applies only to Class 10. Class 12 will continue with the existing one board exam system.
This is a draft, so feedback might tweak it. Think lower fees, extra exam dates for flexible subjects, or practical exam fixes—stay tuned to CBSE’s site!
Final Verdict:
Yes! This new CBSE policy, currently a draft awaiting stakeholder feedback, reduces student stress, encourages conceptual learning, and gives you a second shot at success. Students can breathe easier with two attempts, but plan ahead—pick subjects wisely by September 2025 and prep for core subjects like Math and Science early. Parents, note the upfront fees, and teachers, brace for extra scheduling. The final rules might shift based on feedback (e.g., fee adjustments or exam date tweaks), so stay tuned. What do you think—game-changer or extra hassle? Let us know below!
Feel free ask any doubt in the comment section.
But if a student dies wellin first attempt is it nesscary to do second attempt
I honestly think it’s a hassle, it’s basically torture if you see it from my perspective. they can’t really be expecting us to study for 5 months continuously for the same exam can they …i mean just imagine the child .they’ll internally lose it before they get to the second exam. sure it has its own benefits ,but the cons outweigh the pros by great extent. really hope cbse doesn’t implement this. as a fellow student of batch of 26 …..i hope i’m heard.