CBSE Board Exam 2026 Rules Announced: Two-Exam Policy, 75% Attendance

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced significant changes for Class 10 and 12 board examinations from the academic year 2025–26. The updates, announced on September 18, 2025, include a two-exam policy for Class 10, mandatory 75% attendance, linking of APAAR IDs, special relaxations for sports and olympiad participants, and the removal of the additional subject option for private candidates. CBSE conducts board exams every year in February–March, but under the revised structure, the Class 10 exam will now be held twice annually beginning in 2026.

CBSE 2026 Exam Dates

Key Changes in CBSE Board Exam Rules 2026

Students preparing for the 2026 board exams must take note of the following new policies applicable from this academic session.

🔹 Two-Exam Policy for Class 10

• For the first time, two board exams will be conducted for Class 10.
• The first exam (February 2026) will be mandatory for all students.
• The second exam (May 2026) will serve as an improvement exam.
• Internal assessment will continue to be conducted only once.
• The syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme remain unchanged.

🔹 Minimum 75% Attendance Requirement

• Students must maintain at least 75% attendance to be eligible for board exams.
• Those falling short will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category and will have to repeat the class for another academic year.

🔹 Mandatory Linking of APAAR IDs

• From this session, students must link their APAAR IDs while registering for the board exams.
• APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is part of the Government’s “One Nation, One Student ID” initiative.

🔹 Relaxations for Sports and Olympiad Students

• Students participating in national/international sports events or international olympiads will receive special exam relaxations.
• If exam dates clash with official events, students can request an alternative exam schedule.
• Proof of participation must be submitted, duly signed by the concerned authorities.

🔹 Removal of Additional Subject Option for Private Candidates

• Earlier, students who had passed Class 10 or 12 were allowed to appear in additional subjects within two years as private candidates.
• This option has now been discontinued from the 2025–26 session.