CBSE Says First Board Exam Mandatory, Second Optional Only for Improvement
2 minute read
• Updated on 10 Feb, 2026, 6:18 PM, by Arman Kumar
CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bharadwaj clarified that under the new dual examination system from 2026, all Class 10 students must take the first board exam, while the second attempt is optional and intended for score improvement.
As the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) prepares to implement its new dual board examination system for Class 10 students in 2026, the Board’s Controller of Examinations, Sanyam Bharadwaj, has clarified how the two-exam model will work and what it means for students and parents. Under the revised system — introduced in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 — CBSE will conduct two board examination sessions for Class 10: the first in mid-February (from 17 February to 9 March 2026) and an optional second session in May (from 15 May to 1 June 2026) for students aiming to improve performance.
First Exam is Mandatory for All Students
According to Bharadwaj, all Class 10 students must appear in the first board examination. This phase is treated as the main compulsory attempt and forms the foundation of the annual evaluation. The board has emphasised that students should prepare seriously for this first exam, rather than relying on the second opportunity. This requirement ensures that students engage meaningfully with the assessment process and maintain consistent academic standards throughout the year.
Second Exam is Optional — Only for Improvement
The second board exam is not mandatory. Instead, it is a voluntary improvement opportunity designed to help students enhance their scores in specific subjects if they wish. Candidates are advised that better scores from either attempt will be considered for the final result. Parents and educators are urged not to put unnecessary pressure on students to take the second exam unless improvement is genuinely needed.
Limits on Subjects and Eligibility
The second board attempt is structured to provide targeted improvement rather than a full re-examination:
- Students can opt to improve in up to three subjects in the second session.
- The syllabus remains the same for both exams — there are no reductions or changes.
- Students who fail in one or two subjects in the first exam may use the second exam to clear those.
- However, those who fail or skip three or more subjects will not be eligible for the second attempt and must return to the regular board schedule in 2027.
What This Means for Students?
This system gives students a chance to recover academically within the same year while preserving the integrity of the main board assessment. It helps reduce the pressure of a single high-stakes test by offering an improvement pathway without penalising those who perform well initially. Overall, the policy aims to balance academic rigour with flexibility, encouraging consistent preparation and offering a structured opportunity for score betterment without replacing the first exam as the primary assessment event.
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