NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday announced that starting 2026, Class 10 students will have the opportunity to appear for board exams twice in an academic year.

The decision aims to make the examination system less stressful and more student-centric, with the first exam scheduled in Feb and the second in May.This change stems directly from NEP 2020, which envisioned a flexible and low-stakes assessment system. As per the new plan, all students will be required to appear for the first board exam in Feb. Those who wish to improve their scores can opt for the second exam in May. The best of the two scores will be retained for final results, offering students a second chance.

Students will be allowed to improve performance in up to three main subjects — science, mathematics, social science, and languages.The first phase is compulsory for all candidates, while the second is optional. However, students who skip three or more subjects in the Feb exam will not be eligible for the May session and will be placed in the “essential repeat” (to appear next year with the main exam) category.Sports students whose events coincide with the exam schedule can choose the May session for affected subjects, and students from winterbound schools can choose either phase.

The results for the first and second exams will be declared in April and June, respectively. Internal assessment will be conducted only once in the academic year.

The NEP 2020 states: “To further eliminate the ‘high stakes’ aspect of Board exams, all students will be allowed to take Board exams on up to two occasions during any given school year, one main examination and one for improvement, if desired.” The policy further emphasises the need for flexibility, core capacity-based assessments, and reduction in pressure & coaching culture.

It encourages boards to explore models such as semester or modular exams and differentiated subject-level assessments to foster deeper understanding rather than rote learning.Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed CBSE decision, calling it “laudable and a much-needed step.” In a post on social media, he said, “This will reduce exam stress, provide more flexibility and foster a joyful learning environment.”