Starting in 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce a major change: Class 10 students will have the option to appear for board exams twice a year. This move aims to reduce stress and give students a better chance to improve their scores without waiting an entire year.
However, opinions on this change remain mixed. While some parents and teachers welcome the flexibility, others are concerned about added pressure, logistical challenges, and its overall impact on students’ learning.
What’s changing?
From 2026, Class 10 students will have the option to take board exams twice a year, giving them more flexibility to improve their scores. They can choose to appear in either session or both, and if satisfied with their first attempt, they can skip specific subjects in the second round. This change eliminates the need to wait an entire year for a second chance.
Important details about the new system
- The draft norms were approved by CBSE on Tuesday and are open for public feedback until 9 March 2025.
- Both exams will cover the full syllabus and follow the same textbooks, with students taking exams at the same centres for both attempts.
- Exam fees will increase and will be collected at the time of application.
- No separate supplementary exams will be held — the May session will replace them, and no special examinations will be conducted under any circumstances.
- The list of candidates (LOC) will be finalized by September 2025 for the February 2026 exam, and no new candidates can register for the May 2026 exam if they aren’t on the September 2025 list.
- Students can’t change subjects once the LOC is finalised. However, they can skip a subject in the first exam and take a different one in the second exam.
- Practical and internal assessments will be conducted only once per year.
- The final marksheet will show scores from both sessions, with the best score highlighted for each subject.
Why is CBSE doing this?
This change follows recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to reduce the ‘high-stakes’ nature of board exams. The main idea is to reduce stress and give students more opportunities to perform their best.
Mixed reactions from parents and teachers
Anjali Mehta, a parent from Mumbai, whose son studies at Billabong High International School, is optimistic. “Having two chances in a year reduces the immense pressure on students. My son can now plan his studies better and has a safety net if things don’t go well the first time.”
Suresh Iyer, an English teacher at a renowned school in Mumbai, highlights the positive impact on students’ mental health, “Knowing that there is a second chance within the same year can alleviate a lot of stress. It’s a welcome change for both students and educators.”
However, some parents and teachers believe the success of this system depends on how well it is implemented.
Rajeshkumar Patel, a mathematics teacher at Ahmedabad International School, points out the importance of structured teaching, “This system allows us to structure our teaching methods more effectively. But we need to ensure that students don’t take the first attempt lightly, thinking they have a backup option.”
Meanwhile, Priya Nair, a parent from Mumbai, whose daughter studies at Cathedral and John Connon School, has mixed feelings. “The option to appear twice gives students control over their performance, but I worry that some may not take the first attempt seriously, leading to unnecessary stress later.”
Concerns about extra burden on students and schools
Not everyone is convinced that the change is beneficial. Some believe it could increase stress for students and create logistical challenges for schools.
Neha Trivedi, a parent from Ahmedabad whose son studies at Udgam School, fears this could add more pressure. “Instead of reducing pressure, this might increase it. Students will feel like they are constantly preparing for exams, leaving little time to rest. As a parent, I would want my son to appear for both exams, but I feel it’s an unnecessary burden on kids.”
Ravi Sharma, a teacher at a CBSE school in Mumbai, raises concerns about school logistics, saying, “Conducting board exams twice a year will require additional planning, infrastructure, and staffing. Not all schools may be equipped to handle this.”
While CBSE’s move to conduct board exams twice a year aims to benefit students, it has sparked mixed reactions among parents and teachers. Some view it as a step towards flexibility and reduced pressure, while others fear it may lead to added stress and logistical hurdles.
Edited by Khushi Arora
