In a landmark shift aimed at reducing exam stress and promoting student well-being, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that Class 10 board exams will now be conducted twice a year starting from the academic session 2026. This student-centric reform aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes flexibility and holistic development in school education.
Under this new system, students will have two opportunities in an academic year to appear for their board exams. The better of the two scores will be retained and considered as the final result. This move is intended to give students another chance to improve performance, without the pressure of a one-time high-stakes examination.
Key Highlights:
- Implementation Year: 2026 (for students entering Class 9 in 2025)
- Applies to: Class 10 board exams (Class 12 may follow later)
- Exam Frequency: Twice a year – most likely in March and July
- Scoring: Students can appear in one or both attempts; best score will be counted
- Curriculum: The syllabus will be divided semester-wise, reducing load in each term
Why the Change?
This initiative is a part of CBSE’s broader efforts to:
- Reduce academic pressure and exam anxiety among students
- Encourage continuous learning rather than rote-based, last-minute preparation
- Give students more chances to succeed, similar to global education systems
- Align assessment practices with NEP 2020’s vision of formative and flexible evaluation
Students will no longer have to depend on a single exam to determine their academic fate. With two chances, they can learn from the first attempt and work toward improvement. Parents can expect a more balanced academic year, where performance is tracked in phases rather than all at once.
Educationists and school principals have largely welcomed the decision, calling it a progressive and inclusive move. However, they also emphasized the need for adequate planning, curriculum restructuring, and teacher readiness to ensure smooth implementation.
CBSE is expected to release a detailed framework and guidelines later this year, including exam schedules, syllabus structure, and assessment patterns. The board may also conduct orientation sessions for schools, teachers, and students to familiarize them with the new format.
Discover more from Allycaral
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
