The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a special provision for Class 10 students appearing for board exams in 2026. Students participating in national or international sports events or Olympiads can now appear for the May session board exams if their events clash with the February session exams. Earlier, students had to apply separately for special examinations. Under the revised policy, no separate exam will be conducted. Students affected by event schedules can appear for the next phase of CBSE board exams for the relevant subjects with prior official approval.
CBSE Class 10 Exam 2026: Two Sessions
- February Session: Regular board exams for all students.
- May Session: Students unable to attend the February session due to sports or Olympiad participation, or students who wish to improve their February scores, can appear.
CBSE has officially recognized Olympiads as part of the regular Class 10 curriculum, allowing students to integrate extracurricular achievements with their academic schedule.
Application Guidelines for May Session
- Schools must submit the list of students participating in sports and Olympiads by September 30, 2025.
- Students not appearing in February exams must obtain official CBSE approval.
- If a student appears in the second session under the compartment category, the compartment exam will be conducted in February/March 2027.
This new policy ensures that students excelling in sports and Olympiads can continue their academic journey without missing board exams due to scheduling conflicts.
