About CBSE Exam Class 10th 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a new change for Class 10 students starting from the 2026 academic session. Students will now be allowed to appear for their board exams twice a year. The first exam will be compulsory for all and will be held in mid-February, while the second exam will be optional for those who want to improve their performance and will be conducted in May. CBSE will consider the better score of the two for the final result.
According to the Board, this step is part of its larger plan to make board exams more student-friendly and less stressful. By giving students a second chance, CBSE aims to reduce the pressure of one-time, high-stakes exams and make the evaluation process more flexible and fair.
CBSE Board Exam 2026 is to be Held Twice a Year!
As part of the ongoing reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced significant changes to the Class 10 board examination system. Starting from the academic session 2025-2026, students will have the opportunity to appear for board exams twice a year.
The CBSE has released the new system for the 2026 Class 10 board exams. In a key meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Education, the Ministry of Education discussed this policy change in detail. The initiative aims to help students improve their performance while reducing exam-related stress and pressure.
Key Features of the Proposed CBSE Class 10 Exam Scheme for 2026
General Rules
- All Class 10 students will have to appear in the first board exam, which will be held in mid-February.
- The second board exam will be conducted in May and is meant for students who want to improve their marks in important subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and Languages.
- Students who fail in three or more subjects in the first exam will not be allowed to take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) the second exam.
- These students will be placed under the “Essential Repeat” category and will need to appear for the board exams in the next academic session.
Eligibility Criteria
Students allowed to appear in the first exam include:
- Regular (fresh) students
- Students from earlier years who were marked as compartment or essential repeat
- Students who want to improve their previous scores
Students eligible for the second exam include:
- Those who want to improve their marks in up to three main subjects
- Students appearing for their first or third attempt at compartment
- Students appearing for both improvement and compartment
- Students opting to replace a subject
CBSE Class 10 Exam 2026: Subject Groups and Categorization
CBSE Class 10 subjects for 2026 are divided into four groups:
- Language Group: English, Hindi
- Elective Group: Science, Mathematics, Social Science
- Regional & Foreign Languages: French, Sanskrit, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Spanish, and others
- Additional Subjects Group: Elements of Bookkeeping, Computer Applications, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and more
Two Exam Phases for 2026: Key Details
| Exam Phase | Examination Dates | Subjects Included | Expected Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Feb 17 to March 6, 2026 | Science, Maths, Social Science, Hindi, English | 26.60 lakh |
| Phase 2 | May 5 to May 20, 2026 | Regional and Foreign languages, and other electives like Computer Applications, Data Science, AI, etc. | 26.60 lakh |
Important Guidelines for CBSE Class 10 Exam 2026
- Fixed Days for Core Subjects: Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will be scheduled on predetermined dates.
- Regional and Foreign Languages: These exams will be conducted in a single session on the same day.
- Elective Subjects: Exams for elective subjects will take place over 2 to 3 days, depending on student combinations and preferences.
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Twice: Key Updates
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Exams for 1st & 2nd Phases | Fixed schedule, no deviation; no special exams will be conducted under any circumstances. |
| Practical Assessment | Only one practical exam will be conducted for all students. |
| Passing Criteria | Students need to pass five subjects for a pass status. |
| Merit Certificates | Issued post-2nd examination for those qualifying in all subjects. |
| Improvement Option | Students failing in 1 to 5 subjects will be placed under the Improvement Category. |
| Additional Subjects | No additional subjects will be permitted after passing Class X. |
| Marking System | Better marks from the first or second exam will be recorded on the Marksheet. |
| Feedback Mechanism | The policy will be reviewed and finalized after collecting feedback from stakeholders. |
Revised Guidelines for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026
-
- Study and Exam Scheme: The study and exam system will be made simpler, focusing more on practical and effective assessments that reduce stress and test real understanding.
- Sport Students and CWSN Students: Students involved in sports (especially from winter-bound schools) and Children with Special Needs (CWSN) can choose to appear in either the first or second exam based on what suits them best.
- Examination Centres: Students will have the same exam centre for both exam sessions. Self-centres (schools acting as their own centres) will not be allowed.
- LOC Submission Deadline: Filling the List of Candidates (LOC) is compulsory for the first or main exam. For the second exam, a separate LOC must be filled, but no new names can be added at that time. Also, students cannot change subjects between the first and second exam unless allowed by the official rules.
- Fees and Supplementary Exams: Once the exam fee is paid for the first exam, it will not be refunded. The second exam will act as a supplementary or improvement chance for students who wish to improve their scores.
- Practical/Internal Assessment: Practical exams and internal assessments will be held only once, before the main (first) exam.
CBSE Invites Stakeholder Feedback on Proposed Biannual Board Exam Policy
CBSE has released a draft policy outlining the new examination system on its official website (idioms website) for stakeholder review. Schools, teachers, parents, students, and the general public are encouraged to share their feedback on the proposed changes.
The final policy will be formulated after reviewing all responses, with a deadline for submissions set for March 9, 2025.
For detailed information on the new examination structure, CBSE Class 10 subject groups, and to submit feedback, visit (idioms dictionary) the CBSE website at www.cbse.gov.in.
These reforms align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to create a more flexible, comprehensive, and stress-free education system. The policy is expected to offer students greater opportunities for success while reducing exam-related pressure.
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 TWICE Proposal Draft
CBSE 10th Exam, Admit Card and Result
- CBSE 10th exam 2026 will be conducted in the morning session from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm as per last year.
- The CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Admit Card 2026 will be released soon by the official authorities. Students can download it from the CBSE website once it is available.
- CBSE-affiliated schools can download the CBSE board exam class 10th admit card 2026 and distribute it to their students.
- The admit card for theory and practical exams is provided to regular students by their respective schools. Private students can download their admit cards for the CBSE Class 10 exam 2026 online mode from CBSE’s official website cbse.gov.in.
- The CBSE Class 10 results 2026 will be announced on the official website – cbseresults.nic.in. The result for the first exam will be out in April 2026, and the second exam result will be declared in June 2026.
CBSE 10th Exam Date 2026
- The CBSE Class 10 board exams for 2026 will be conducted in offline mode (pen and paper format). The official exam dates will be released by CBSE through a formal notification on their website. Students are advised to regularly check the official site (idiom site) or stay in touch with their schools for updates regarding the timetable.
- The CBSE Board will conduct the Class 10 exams twice a year, giving students two chances to improve their performance.
- The board will also release the CBSE class 10 syllabus 2026. Students should prepare with the latest syllabus to ace the exams. They can download the subject-wise syllabus of the CBSE Board 10th exams 2026 as PDF files.
- Students should practice with CBSE class 10th exam previous year question papers to analyze their preparation level.
- CBSE has announced the Class 10 board exam result schedule. The result for the first exam will be released in April 2026, and the result for the second exam will be declared in June 2026.Students who registered for exams can check results by entering their roll number, school number and date of birth.
CBSE Exam Class 10th 2026 Application Process
- Visit the official website of CBSE cbse.gov.in
- Follow the link to register for the CBSE Exam Class 10 2026 on the main website.
- Verify all the information and submit the required documents.
- Submit your application by paying the registration fee through Debit Card, Credit Card, NEFT, or Other and retrieving the receipt page.
- Print off your confirmation page and keep a hard copy for future use.
Note: For the CBSE board exam class 10, the board accepts exam applications for regular students through their respective schools. Private students can fill CBSE board exam class 10 application form 2026 on the CBSE official website cbse.nic.in.
Documents Required CBSE Board Exam Class 10th
- Aadhar number
- Email-ID
- Mobile number of applicants and their parents.
- Address Details
- Photo (JPEG format)
- Signature
CBSE Board Exam Class 10th 2026 Overview:
| Conducting Body | CBSE |
| Exam Name | CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 |
| CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 Released Date | November 2025 (Tentative) |
| Exam Date | April 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mode Of Application | Offline/Online |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hrs. |
CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Date Sheet 2026:
The CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 will be released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on its official website – cbse.gov.in. The exams will be held in offline mode (pen and paper format). Students will be able to check the complete timetable once it is officially announced.
Meanwhile, we are providing a tentative date sheet to help students get a rough idea of when the CBSE Class 10 board exams might be conducted.
| Date | Exam |
| February 15, 2026 | English |
| February 20, 2026 | Science |
| February 22, 2026 | Sanskrit |
| February 25, 2026 | Social Science |
| February 28, 2026 | Hindi |
| March 10, 2026 | Mathematics |
| March 18, 2026 | Information technology |
| Name of Event | Tentative Date |
| CBSE Board Exam 2026 Date Class 10 Announcement | November 2025 |
| Commencement of Board Exam of CBSE Class 10th | Feb. 15, 2026 |
| CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Answer Key | April 2026 |
| Final Result Announcement | May 2026 |
CBSE Board Exam Class 10th 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria for CBSE Board Exam Class 10 for Regular Students:
- Students must have passed the class 9 examination from a recognized school or affiliated with the CBSE board or any other recognized board.
- In the academic year 2025-2026, the student must be studying in Class 10 in a CBSE-affiliated school.
- As there is no age limit to appear for CBSE 10th Exam 2026, but at the time (race against time phrase meaning) of admission, the student must meet the maximum and minimum age limits as specified by the State/UT Government where the school is located.
- Students must have obtained 75% attendance in class 10 during the academic year 2025-26.
- Students must submit the examination form with the requisite fee before the deadline.
Eligibility Criteria of CBSE Board Exam Class 10 for private students:
The following categories of candidates shall be eligible to appear in the CBSE board exam class 10th:
- students who have failed in the last academic year.
- teachers who are working in educational institutions/schools affiliated with CBSE.
- Physically handicapped students who have difficulty attending classes.
- Female students who satisfy the following conditions:
- must be a resident of the NCT of Delhi.
- must have privately pursued the prescribed course of study.
- unable to join class 10 in a school affiliated with the CBSE board.
CBSE Board Exam Class 10 2026 Syllabus
According to the annual assessment scheme, CBSE has released the syllabus for all class 10 subjects. CBSE has reduced the syllabus by 30% by removing some chapters and topics from the subjects. This will eventually help them to prepare for both the exams and entrance exams. Download the CBSE board exam class 10 syllabus 2026.
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Class 10th Preparation Tips
Now that the new exam schedule has been announced, students should start their CBSE board exam 2026 class 10th preparation early to cover the entire syllabus. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Know the syllabus: As the syllabus is updated, students should go through the syllabus and identify the topics they need to study. Cover the whole syllabus at least 1 month before the CBSE board exam 2026 class 10th and then start revision to grab the topics.
Make a schedule: It is advisable for students to create a proper schedule for the CBSE board exam class 10 in order to organize and discipline their Class 10 CBSE board preparation. Create a schedule for short and long-term objectives to help you adequately prepare for the CBSE 10th board test. Establish realistic and achievable objectives.
Make notes: Make it a habit to make notes of important topics and points while studying so that it will help you to revise the entire syllabus for the CBSE board exam 2026 class 10th in a short time. While creating notes for the CBSE board exam 2026 class 10th, be sure to highlight crucial passages, headings, and equations.
Get all doubts cleared: It is advisable for students to clear all their doubts before the CBSE Board exam class 10th. If a student has any doubts, then ask the respective subject teacher and get the topic clear before the class 10 CBSE board exam.
Solve previous year question papers: Students are suggested to practice CBSE board exam class 10th previous year question papers. This will help them to analyze their preparation level and make them aware of the important topics of the exam.
Take a proper Rest: Stress, fear and anxiety will hinder the preparation and affect performance in CBSE board exam class 10th. Students should take proper sleep to increase their memory power and concentration. Do light exercise or meditation to keep your mind and body healthy.
CBSE Board Exam Class 10th 2026 Exam Pattern
The CBSE Board Exam 2026 class 10th paper will be designed according to the latest CBSE Board 10th Exam Pattern 2026. CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026 will give 40% weightage to Multiple Choice Questions, 20% weightage to Competency Based Questions and the Subjective Questions type will be given a weight of 40%.
Internal Assessment Marking Scheme of CBSE Board Exam Class 10
The internal assessment of the CBSE board exam class 10 consists of periodic tests (10 marks each), notebook submission (5 marks), and subject activities (5 marks). 3 periodic tests will be conducted in the entire academic session and the average of the best two marks will be considered for the final weightage.
For the CBSE board exam class 10, the board has decided to allot marks for outdoor games & activities to every student. Health and Physical education have been mandatory for all students. In this, students will receive a booklet of 150 pages. Students will have to choose one exercise which they will have to do on regular basis. Based on the performance of students in exercise, the school teacher will award internal marks for the CBSE board exam 2026 class 10th. The marks for the CBSE board exam class 10th will be uploaded on the official website of CBSE.
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Class 10th Science Exam Pattern
Paper pattern for CBSE board exam class 10:
- There will be a total of 27 questions divided into two namely sections A and B.
- There will be practical-based questions of 12 marks and no MCQ.
| Section | questions | Marks/Questions |
| A | 1-2 | 1 |
| 3-5 | 2 | |
| 6-15 | 3 | |
| 16-21 | 5 | |
| B | 22-27 | 2 |
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Class 10 Social Science Exam Pattern
Paper pattern for Social Science CBSE board exam class 10:
- The paper will consist of 27 questions.
- The marking scheme for the CBSE exam class 10 is given below:
| Questions type | No. of questions | Marks/Question |
| Very short answer type questions | 1-7 | 1 |
| Short answer type questions | 8-18 | 3 |
| Long answer type questions | 19-25 | 5 |
| Map questions for History | 26-27 | 1 |
| Map questions for Geography | 28 | 3 |
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Class 10 Maths Exam Pattern
The exam pattern for the CBSE 10th exam 2026 consists of 4 sections. The class 10 Maths exam carries 80 marks for 30 questions.
| Question type | No. of questions | Marks |
| A (very short answer) | 6 | 1 |
| B (short answer type – 1) | 6 | 2 |
| C (short answer type – 2) | 10 | 3 |
| D (long answer type) | 8 | 4 |
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Class 10 English Exam Pattern
English paper pattern for CBSE board exam class 10:
| Section | No. of questions | Total marks |
| Section A: Reading | 1-2 | 20 |
| Section B: Writing & Grammar | 3-7 | 30 |
| Section C: Literature | 8-11 | 30 |
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Class 10 Hindi Exam Pattern
Hindi paper pattern for CBSE board exam class 10:
| Section | Question | Marks |
| A | Apathit Gadyansh 1-2 | 15 |
| B | Vyakarana | 15 |
| C | Textbook | 30 |
| D | Writing & grammar | 20 |
CBSE Class 10th 2026 Mock Test
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Model Papers 2025-2026 for CBSE board exam class 10 exams. For better exam preparation, students should practice class 10 CBSE board sample papers or the previous year’s question papers. Previous year’s class 10 CBSE board papers help to understand the type of questions asked in the CBSE board exam 2026 10th Exam. Students can download CBSE Sample Papers 2025-2026 from the official site – cbseacademic.nic.in and cbse.gov.in. For better understanding, they should go through CBSE sample papers.
CBSE Class 10th Exam 2026 Admit Card
It is expected that CBSE will release the CBSE Class 10 admit card 2026 in the first week of February 2026. The admit card for CBSE 10th exams 2026 will be released in online mode for private students and in offline mode for regular students. The admit card will contain the student’s name, parents’ name, DOB, photograph, CBSE 10th exam date 2026, exam time, and important instructions. Students can collect their CBSE admit card class 10 2026 from their respective schools.
Steps to download CBSE 10th exam 2026 Admit Card
- Visit the official website: cbse.nic.in.
- Click on the CBSE class 10 admit cards link.
- Enter the application number or previous roll number.
- The admit card will appear on the screen.
- Download the CBSE 10th exam admit card 2026.
Details mentioned in CBSE Class 10 Admit Card 2026
Students should check and ensure the accuracy of their personal details for the CBSE 10th admit card 2026. The following details will be shared through the online CBSE 10th exam 2026 admit card:
- Student name
- Roll number
- Date of birth
- Name of the examination
- Time table
- Name & address of examination center
- Centre number
- School number
- Subjects and their codes
- Admit card ID
- Student’s photo
- QR code
- Other important instructions
CBSE Class 10th 2026 Answer Key
The answer key of the CBSE board exam class 10th will be released by the CBSE for class 10th 2026 through their official website after 2-3 weeks of the last class 10 examination.
CBSE Class 10th 2026 Result
The CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Results 2026 will be released in April 2026 for the first examination, and in June 2026 for the second examination by the CBSE. The results will be available on the official website – cbseresults.nic.in.
To check their results, students will need to enter their roll number, date of birth, school number, and center number on the result portal.
How to check the CBSE Class 10 result 2026?
Steps to check CBSE Board 10th result 2026 through the official website:
- Go to the official website of CBSE result 2026: cbseresults.nic.in.
- Click on the link ‘Senior Secondary CBSE 10th Class result 2026’.
- Enter roll number, school number, date of birth and center number in the respective fields.
- Verify all the details entered and click on the submit button.
- CBSE exam class 10 result 2026 will be shown on the screen.
- Take a printout of the same to use later.
Details mentioned in online CBSE board exam class 10th result 2026
The following details will be mentioned on the online CBSE 10th exam result 2026 provisional mark sheet:
- Student’s name
- Father’s name
- Mother’s name
- Roll number
- School name
- Center name
- Subjects
- Subject-wise marks
- Total marks
- Grade
- Result (Pass/fail)
Qualifying Marks Trend for CBSE Board Exam Class 10th
| Year | Category | Cut-Off |
|
2022 |
General | 33 |
| SC | 33 | |
| ST | 33 | |
| OBC | 33 | |
| EWS | 33 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): CBSE Board Exam Class 10th
Q1: When will the CBSE board exam class 10th 2026 time table be released?
Answer: The complete timetable for CBSE 10th exam will soon be released for theory exams.
Q2: Is the CBSE 10th exam syllabus is same as NCERT?
Answer: No, the CBSE Syllabus is different from NCERT. However, most of the topics are similar to the NCERT syllabus.
Q3: Which are the main subjects for the CBSE board exam class 10th 2026?
Answer: Maths, Science, Social Science and 2 language subjects are compulsory for CBSE board exam class 10th.
Q4: Which books are best for the preparation for CBSE 10th exams 2026?
Answer: NCERT books are the best to prepare for the CBSE board exam class 10th 2025-26.
Q5: When will the CBSE 10th exam 2026 sample paper be released?
Answer: CBSE board exam class 10th 2026 sample papers will soon be released by CBSE.
Q6: Will the same syllabus be followed for both exams?
Answer: Yes, both the first and second exams will follow the same syllabus. There is no change in the syllabus between the two exam cycles.
Q7: How will regular students get the CBSE board exam class 10th to admit card 2026?
Answer: The school authority will distribute the CBSE board exam class 10th admit card 2026 among regular students.
Q8: What are the passing marks for CBSE 10th exam 2026?
Answer: For the CBSE board exam class 10th 33% of total marks are the minimum passing marks.
Q9: Can students apply for revaluation of the CBSE board exam class 10th result 2026?
Answer: Yes, students can apply for revaluation of the CBSE 10th exam result 2026, as per norms which will be released by CBSE on CBSE’s official website.
Q10: What will be the difficulty level of the CBSE board exam class 10th 2026?
Answer: The difficulty level of the CBSE Class 10 Exam 2026 is expected to be moderate, based on the pattern followed in the 2026 exams.
Q11: What if the student fails one subject in the CBSE Board exam class 10th 2026?
Answer: As per the new policy, if a student fails in one subject in the first exam, they can appear for the second exam in the same year. This gives them another chance without waiting a full year. If they fail again, they will need to follow CBSE’s compartment exam rules.
Q12. Is it mandatory to appear for both exams?
Answer: No, it is not mandatory to appear for both exams. Only the first exam in February is compulsory. The second exam in May is optional and is provided as an opportunity for students to improve their scores.
Q13. From which year will CBSE conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year?
Answer: CBSE will conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year starting from the 2025–26 academic session. The first cycle of exams will begin in 2026.
Q14. How will Class 10 students benefit from two exams a year?
Answer: With two board exams in one academic year, students will get another chance to improve their scores, especially in up to three subjects. This system helps reduce exam stress, encourages regular study habits, and gives students more time for better preparation instead of last-minute studying.
Q15. What happens if you fail in the first exam?
Answer: If you fail in the first exam, you will get another chance to appear in the second exam in May. You will be marked as a compartment or essential repeat student, depending on how many subjects you failed.
Q16. Can I appear only for the second exam?
Answer: No, appearing in the first exam is mandatory. The second exam is optional, meant only for students who want to improve their scores or those who need to reappear.
Q17. Will practical exams be held twice?
Answer: No, practical/internal assessments will be conducted only once before the main (first) exam. The same marks will be used for both exam attempts.
Q18. Can I change my subjects in the second exam?
Answer: No, subject changes are not allowed between the first and second exams, unless permitted under specific CBSE policies.
Q19. Do I need to fill out a new form for the second exam?
Answer: Yes, a separate LOC (List of Candidates) will be filled for the second exam. However, no new names can be added at that stage.
Q20. Can students from winter-bound schools also follow this system?
Answer: Yes, students from winter-bound schools can appear in either the first or second exam, whichever suits their academic calendar.
