The CBSE Class 10 Board Exam for 2026 will be held twice a year. Yes, you heard it right. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) approved the new regulations based on the National Education Policy (NEP), which advocates lowering pressure from board exams by giving students two opportunities every year. From 2026 onwards, Class 10 students will be eligible to take the CBSE board exams twice in one academic year. However, they must appear in the first phase, which will take place in February. The second phase, set for May, will be voluntary for individuals looking to improve their marks. Students who are currently in class 10th standard can check every minute detail on CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 News rules discussed on this page.
CBSE Class 10 Board Exam for 2026 Date Sheet
It is expected that the CBSE Class 10 Exam Date sheet 2025 will be released in two phases, although the board has revealed the tentative class 10th exam date currently. As per the announcement, the phase 1 will be held in february 2026, and the first exam results will be revealed in April 2026. On the other hand, Phase 2 will be administered in May 2026, while results will be released in June 2026.
Phases | Exam date | Result date |
CBSE Class 10 Phase 1 Exam 2026 | February 2026 | April, 2025 |
CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Exam 2026 | May 2025 | June 2026. |
Which Phase is Mandatory to Appear in Class 10 Board Exam 2025
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj stated that the first exam results will be revealed in April, followed by the second in June. While also relieving the stress of a single high-stakes exam. According to PTI, the first portion of the exam will be required for all students, with the second phase optional. Students at winter-bound schools will be able to choose which phase to participate in. Internal assessments will occur only once every year.
The new regulation requires all Class 10 students to take the first phase of the board exams. This provides a baseline assessment for each student; they will have the chance to retake the second part to improve their results. The best score from any part will be used for the final results, allowing students to flourish without the pressure of a single exam.
CBSE Board Exam 2025 New Rules on Internal Assessments
The CBSE will conduct internal assessments once per academic year, in addition to biannual board exams. This update is intended to simplify the evaluation procedure applies to both students and educators. The board aims to reduce workload while retaining uniformity and fairness in internal assessments, which are vital to the overall grading system.
Benefits of Taking the First Board Exam
Education expert Jawahar Surisetti says students preparing for competitive exams will get more time to study if they take the first board exam in February.
However, some experts believe the Class 10 board exam is mainly for choosing a stream in Class 11, which teachers can do using psychometric tests. So, they suggest the Class 10 exam should be optional, taken only by those who need it—like students joining vocational programs that require board results.
Why are changes implemented in Class 10th Board Exam 2026?
This CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2025 New Rules represents a significant shift in the Indian education system and corresponds with the broader goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 include student-centered learning and less exam-related stress.
The biannual examination system sets a precedent for other education boards in India. Beginning in 2026, the new exam format aims to provide a more flexible and stress-free atmosphere for millions of students taking the key Class 10 board exams. This move aims to allow students to learn at their own pace and provide many opportunities to attain desired outcomes.