The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced its plan to conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year starting from the 2026 academic session. According to reports, the board has approved draft norms outlining the biannual examination system, which will now be made public for stakeholder feedback. The policy is expected to be finalized after receiving comments until March 9, 2025.
Biannual Board Exams: A Major Shift
The draft norms propose that students will have the opportunity to appear for two board exams annually, providing them with greater flexibility and reducing the high-pressure environment of a single-exam system. The first phase of exams will take place from February 17 to March 6, 2026, while the second phase is scheduled from May 5 to May 20, 2026.
Key Highlights of the Proposed Scheme
Start Date: Class 10 and Class 12 board exams will commence on the first Tuesday after February 15 each year.
Number of Students: It is estimated that around 26.60 lakh students will appear for Class 10 board exams in 2026, while 20 lakh students are expected for Class 12.
Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Both exams will be based on the full current syllabus and prescribed textbooks.
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Subject Grouping:
Core subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will be scheduled on fixed dates, similar to the current system.
Regional and foreign languages will be conducted in a single session.
Examinations for other elective subjects will be held 2 to 3 times across multiple days, allowing students greater flexibility in scheduling.
Advantages of the Biannual Exam System
Reduced Academic Pressure: Students will get two chances to improve their performance.
Better Learning Outcomes: A more flexible assessment system will enhance conceptual understanding.
Alignment with NEP 2020: The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes multiple opportunities for students.
The CBSE board has invited feedback on the proposed changes until March 9, 2025. Once finalized, the policy will be officially implemented in the 2026 academic session.
