The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified a key rule under its new two-board examination policy for Class 10 students, set to begin in the academic year 2026. Under this updated system, all Class 10 students must appear in the first board examination to be eligible for the second board exam — a change aimed at strengthening assessment and participation.
The policy clarification comes in response to queries from schools, parents and students about whether learners could skip the first exam and sit only for the second one. CBSE officials, including Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj, confirmed that appearing in the first exam is compulsory for all students irrespective of individual circumstances. Those who miss the first exam in three or more subjects will be placed in what the board calls the “Essential Repeat” category and will not be allowed to sit for the second exam in the same academic year. Students in this category must repeat the year and take the main examination next year.
What Students Need to Know About the New Rules
Under the two-exam structure, students will get two chances to take their Class 10 board exams annually: the first main exam and a second opportunity aimed at improvement or compartment cases. However, eligibility for the second exam now depends on participation in the first. Only those who appear in the first board exam will be allowed to sit for the second, whether to improve performance in subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science and Languages, or address compartment results.
A student absent in multiple subjects of the first exam — specifically three or more papers — cannot transition to the second exam and must reappear the following year. CBSE has emphasized that no exemptions will be granted, even for personal or medical reasons, highlighting the board’s intent to ensure engagement with the new assessment structure.
Why This Policy Matters
This move is part of CBSE’s broader efforts to strengthen academic standards, align with the National Education Policy (NEP) and encourage holistic development. By making the first exam compulsory, the board aims to ensure students take the assessment structure seriously and use the second exam as a meaningful opportunity for improvement rather than a first attempt.
As board exams commence this week with millions of students participating nationwide, this clarification offers much-needed certainty for families and educators navigating the transition to a bi-exam system.
60-Word Summary
The CBSE has clarified that under the new two-exam policy starting in 2026, Class 10 students must appear in the first board examination to be eligible for the second attempt. Students missing three or more subjects in the first exam will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category and cannot sit for the second exam. Eligible students can use the second exam to improve performance.
