Watch: CBSE’s proposal to conduct two Board exams a year for Class 10 students, explained

CBSE draft policy allows Class 10 students to take board exams twice, choose subjects, and select streams provisionally.

The Central Board of Secondary Education [CBSE] has prepared a draft policy to allow Class 10 students to take their board exams twice starting in 2026.

According to the draft policy, which will soon be made available for public feedback from stakeholders, Class 10 students will have the option to appear for the CBSE board exams twice in an academic session - once in February and again in May.

Candidates will also have the option to appear for both examinations if they wish.

Additionally, students will be allowed to skip specific subjects in the second attempt if they are already satisfied with the scores they have achieved in the first examination.

The draft policy eliminates supplementary exams by designating the May session as the only improvement window. Practical assessments will only be conducted annually and comprehensive marksheets will be issued post May.

According to some experts, under the new system, stream selection for standards 11 and 12 will become more inclusive. Students will be granted their chosen streams provisionally, even if they do not meet the grade requirements in the first round of exams.

While some experts highlighted the potential for reduced academic pressure on students, others pointed out concerns over the administrative strain on schools resulting from the new system proposed.