CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams from 2026: Check Indicative Exam Schedule, Key Changes and Updates

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to implement a new Two-Exam Policy for Class 10 students starting from 2026. This change aims to enhance flexibility, reduce student stress, and improve the overall examination process. Under this system, board exams will begin in mid-February, and certain subjects will be offered multiple times to give students more opportunities. With over 26 lakh students appearing for Class 10 exams annually, this new policy is designed to streamline scheduling while maintaining academic rigor.

To explain the expected changes and modifications in the exam structure and assessment criteria, CBSE has released a draft scheme outlining key details of this reform. These proposed changes will be finalized after reviewing feedback from stakeholders.

Read on to understand the expected changes, assessment criteria, subjects offered, syllabus structure, and examination schedule for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026.

CBSE Two-Exam Policy for Board Exams 2026: Suggested Key Changes

Following are the changes and updates to the exam structure, syllabus, schedule, and assessment scheme for CBSE Class 10 and 12 from 2026.

1. Exam Schedule and Student Participation

• Class X and XII board examinations will start on the first Tuesday after February 15 each year.
• In 2026, an estimated 26.60 lakh students will appear for Class X exams, while 20 lakh students will take Class XII exams.

2. Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• Both Class X and XII exams will cover the full syllabus as per the current textbooks.
• No reduction in syllabus or bifurcation of the curriculum.

3. Subject Grouping and Exam Days

• Core subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will have fixed examination dates, similar to the current system.
• Other subjects are divided into two groups:

1. Regional and Foreign Languages – All exams in this category will be conducted on a single day.
2. Other Elective Subjects – These will be offered 2 to 3 times, allowing students flexibility in choosing their exam date.

4. Multiple Exam Opportunities for Some Subjects

• Certain subjects (e.g., Data Science) will be conducted multiple times (2-3 times) based on student choices.
• This system aims to provide flexibility and reduce the burden on students.

5. Practical & Internal Assessment

• Practical/Internal Assessment will be conducted only once for the entire academic year.

6. Result Policy

• The performance of the first examination will be made available in DigiLocker and can be used for admission to Class XI if the student chooses not to appear for the second examination.
• All candidates will receive passing documents only after the second examination result is declared.
• The Mark Sheet cum Passing Certificate will include:

1. Marks obtained in the first examination and second examination
2. Scores from Practical/Internal Assessment
3. Grades
4. The better of the two marks will also be mentioned.

• Students not qualified in the first examination may still be allowed provisional admission to Class XI, with final admission based on their second examination result.
• A Merit Certificate will be issued after the second examination.
• Students must pass all five subjects to be declared pass.
• Students failing in one to five subjects in the first examination will be placed under the "Improvement Category" and allowed to reappear in the second examination.

Exam Grouping and Scheduling for CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026

CBSE has introduced a structured grouping and scheduling system for Class 10 board exams under the new Two-Exam Policy. The subjects are categorized as follows:

• Core Subjects:Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will continue to be conducted on fixed dates, similar to the current system.
• Regional and Foreign Languages:These subjects will be grouped together, and their exams will be conducted in one go on a single day.
• Elective Subjects: All other subjects, including vocational and skill-based courses like Data Science, will be offered multiple times (2 to 3 times) based on student choices. However, students will not have the option to select their exam dates. Instead, CBSE will assign dates based on a predefined formula and subject combinations chosen by the students.

Additionally, question papers for these subjects will be collected back after each examination to ensure integrity and prevent any unfair advantages.

This new scheduling approach aims to provide flexibility while maintaining fairness and efficiency in the assessment process.

Also Check:

CBSE Syllabus 2026 for Class 10 Skill Subjects

CBSE Syllabus 2026 for Class 12 Skill Subjects

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026: Indicative Schedule

As part of the new Two-Exam Policy, CBSE has proposed a detailed draft schedule for Class 10 board exams starting in 2026. The exams will be conducted in two phases, with specific dates assigned to different subjects. Below is the indicative schedule based on the draft scheme:

First Exam (Main Board Exam) - Class 10

Second Exam (Reassessment) - Class 10

After gathering feedback, CBSE will review the policy, revise, and finalize it accordingly. The Examination Bye-Laws will be amended to align with the new examination structure.

Read the full CBSE Draft Scheme from the link below: