If you are searching for the CBSE compartment exam 2026 date, eligibility rules, or how to fill the application form, you have landed on the right page. The CBSE compartment exam 2026 (also called the CBSE supplementary exam 2026) second-chance examination for students who could not pass one or two subjects in their board exams.
For CBSE Class 10, the compartment exam was scheduled from May 15 to May 21, 2026 (Phase 2 / Second Board exam), under CBSE’s new two-board system, which means the second chance comes within the same academic session itself, no more waiting till July. CBSE Class 12 students have their exam on July 15, 2026, a single-day exam, and results for both classes are expected sometime in August 2026.
Class 12 students still have time (race against time phrase meaning) to submit the LOC as the window opened on June 17, 2026, and the closing deadline has not been officially confirmed yet by a public circular; the schools submit it through cbse.gov.in. In this blog, we walk you through the official compartment exam dates 2026, who is eligible, how to fill the application form, what the passing marks are, the full date sheet, result dates, and answers to the most common questions, all in one place.
Check Out: CBSE Passing Marks 2026 (Official Guidelines): Minimum Marks & Grace Marks for Class 10 and 12
CBSE Class 10 & 12 Compartment Exam Dates 2026: Official Schedule
The Class 10 and 12 compartment exam dates for 2026 are different. The full schedule is here at a glance:
| Class | Exam Date | LOC/Form Deadline | Admit Card | Result (Expected) |
| Class 10 | May 15 – May 21, 2026 (Concluded) | April 20, 2026 (Expired) | Released with the date sheet | 30 June 2026 |
| Class 12 | July 15, 2026 (Single Day) | opened on June 17, 2026 | ~July 7, 2026 | August 2026 (Expected) |
Class 12 students, note this carefully: Whenever the CBSE Compartment Form 2026 window for Class 12 closes, no submission will be accepted under any circumstances. If you are a regular student, your school handles the process, but you must inform your school immediately.
The compartment exam date 2026 for class 12 is on 15th July. All subjects take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) place on this one day, in separate sessions. Plan out what you need to do.
CBSE Compartment Exam vs Supplementary Exam: Are They the Same?
Yes, completely. CBSE compartment exam and supplementary exam are the same exam. The word compartment is used in all the circulars and on the admit card by the CBSE. However, the word “supplementary” is used interchangeably by a lot of schools, coaching centres, and students. Both refer to the same second-chance exam conducted by CBSE after the main board results.
On the admit card, the word will be Compartment and not supplementary. The syllabus is also the same as the main board exam. There is no modified question paper for compartment students. Same pattern, same length, same marking scheme.
The CBSE supplementary exam 2026 is the same as the CBSE compartment exam 2026. No confusion needed.
CBSE Compartment Exam 2026: Eligibility Criteria for Class 10 & 12
This is the most important section. Many students think that they are eligible when they aren’t, or not eligible when they really are. Read this carefully.
CBSE Compartment Exam Class 10: Eligibility
- Must have appeared in the Class 10 main board exam in 2026
- Failed in 1 or 2 subjects: Placed in Compartment category and eligible for the second board exam
- Failed in 3 or more subjects: Placed in Essential Repeat category and must repeat the full academic year, not eligible for compartment
- Improvement category: Candidates who have passed but is still looking to get better grades can take up to 3 subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages).
- Application must be submitted within the deadline (through the school for regular students)
CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026: Eligibility
- Must have appeared in the Class 12 main board exam in 2026
- Failed in 1 subject only: Compartment status is eligible for the July 15, 2026 exam
- Failed in 2 or more subjects: Essential Repeat and must re-enrol for the 2026–27 session
- Special case: In case you have failed in one out of the 6 subjects, you can refer the official CBSE circular for the substitution rules.
- Improvement category: Students who have already passed but want to improve in one subject can also appear
| Class | Failed Subjects Allowed for Compartment | Status: If More Failures |
| Class 10 | 1 or 2 subjects | Essential Repeat (repeat full year) |
| Class 12 | 1 subject only | Essential Repeat (re-enrol for 2026–27) |
Important tip: Look out for errors on your mark sheet. You are not eligible because of the number of subjects that failed; it is the category printed on it, “Compartment” or “Essential Repeat”.
Check Out: CBSE Grading System for Class 10th 2026: Grades, Passing Marks Criteria & CGPA Explained
CBSE Compartment Rules for Class 10 Exam 2026: New Two-Board System
There are some major changes for the students of Class 10 for 2026. This year, CBSE implemented the CBSE two-board exam system in class 10. In this system, the whole of the Class 10 cycle is now divided into two parts:
- Phase 1: Main board examination (February–March 2026)
- Phase 2: Second board exam/compartment exam (May 15 – June 1, 2026)
- In the NEP 2020 guidelines, students who wish to improve their percentage will have the option of choosing up to three subjects for improvement in Phase 2.
This is a big improvement: Previously, the second chance was available to the students of Class 10 only in the months of July and August. In the new CBSE second board exam 2026 system, the second chance is provided during the same session, merely weeks after the result of the primary examination. Students receive their results quickly and can arrange for their admission in Class 11 without wasting any time.
Other key rules for Class 10 compartment 2026
- Internal assessment and practical marks are carried forward from the main exam if the practical was cleared
- If the practical was also failed, both theory and practical need to be retaken
- A total of 3 attempts are allowed to clear the compartment subject across the supplementary cycle and subsequent board sessions
- Students who fail all 3 attempts move to Essential Repeat and must repeat the year
CBSE Compartment Rules for Class 12 Exam 2026: Stricter, Know Before You Apply
The Class 12 compartment rules are more stringent than the Class 10 compartment rules. The following are some important points to keep in mind while enrolling for the CBSE compartment exam 2026 Class 12:
- Only one subject failure is allowed for the compartment status. Two or more failures result in “Essential Repeat”.
- The criteria for passing is also more stringent, as students need to achieve at least 33% in theory as well as internal assessment and practical, individually rather than overall.
- You must also pass a minimum of 5 subjects overall to be declared Pass in Class 12
- Internal assessment marks are retained from the main exam if the practical was cleared
- Three attempts rule applies here, as well: compartment July 2026 (Attempt 1 for 2026 cycle), then the 2026 – 27 board (Attempt 2), etc.
- Mark sheet status after passing: Your marksheet will read “Pass (Compartment)”; this is a valid, accepted result for college admissions and most employers
One thing many students worry about: Does the word ‘Compartment’ on the marksheet affect your admissions chances? No, in most cases “Pass (Compartment)” mark sheets are accepted for admission by DU, most state universities and private colleges. Do, however, check with the particular institution you are applying to as their policy might differ.
Passing Marks for CBSE Class 10 & 12 Compartment Exam 2026
One of the most searched questions is: What are the passing marks for the CBSE compartment exam? This is an easy breakdown:
| Class | Minimum to Pass | Practical / Internal Assessment |
| Class 10 | 33% overall (theory + practical combined) | Retained from the main exam if the practical was cleared |
| Class 12 | 33% separately in each theory, IA, and practical | Both must be cleared independently; no combined total shortcut |
This is followed by the same 9-point grading system. Your grade goes up if you get a good grade on the compartment exam. Practical marks are kept from the main board exam and do not need to be retaken unless the candidate specifically failed in the practical part of the exam.
CBSE Compartment Exam Application Form 2026: Deadlines & Fee
The process of CBSE Compartment Form 2026 varies for Class 10 and Class 12. This is the complete detail:
Class 10: CBSE Compartment Form 2026
- LOC submission deadline was April 20, 2026 (without late fee)
- Late fee of ₹2,000 was accepted till April 22, 2026. This window has now expired
- If you missed this: contact your school immediately. The school may have already submitted the LOC and can advise on next steps
Class 12: CBSE Compartment Form 2026
- LOC window: opened on June 17, schools submit through cbse.gov.in
- Once LOC deadlines are closed, no extensions will be accepted under any circumstances
- As of June 18, 2026, the LOC portal is open, but a detailed public circular from CBSE is still awaited. Keep checking cbse.gov.in
Fee Structure (Approx.)
- ₹300 per subject for Indian students
- Additional processing fee may apply. Verify the exact amount at cbse.gov.in or through your school at the time of submission
How to Apply as Regular or Private Student
- Regular students: Apply through your school, and the school submits the LOC on the CBSE portal on your behalf
- Private candidates: Apply directly at cbse.gov.in before the LOC deadline
- No changes (addition or deletion of names or subjects) are allowed after LOC submission
How to Apply for CBSE Compartment Exam 2026: Step-by-Step Process
The exact procedure for CBSE compartment exam 2026 application for regular and private candidate is given here:
Step 1: Check your board result on cbse.gov.in and confirm your Compartment status on the marksheet
Step 2 (Regular students): Notify your school right away. Let them know your compartment and subjects for which you have to appear.
Step 2 (Private candidates): Visit cbse.gov.in and log in to your candidate profile to apply online
Step 3: Enter your name, roll number and subject code. Always double check before submission.
Step 4: Pay the prescribed fee. Collect the fee payment receipt, and keep it safe
Step 5: School raises the LOC on CBSE portal (regular students) or make online submission (private candidates)
Step 6: Download your admit card once released from cbse.gov.in (expected ~July 7 for Class 12)
Step 7: Appear for the exam at the designated CBSE centre mentioned on your admit card
Critical note: Once the LOC is submitted, no changes can be made. No additions or deletions of subjects are allowed. Double-check before submission.
Documents Required for CBSE Compartment Exam 2026
Have these documents handy before you reach your school or before you submit online:
- Original marksheet or result printout from cbse.gov.in
- Admit card from the Class 10 or 12 main board exam
- School-issued compartment admit card (once released by CBSE)
- Aadhaar card or any valid government-issued photo ID
- Passport-size photographs as per the exam centre requirement
- Fee payment receipt
- Private candidates only: Migration certificate and previous year’s marksheet
CBSE Compartment Exam Result 2026: When & How to Check
CBSE Compartment exam result 2026 for class 10th will be expected by the end of June 2026 and class 12th will be expected in the month of August 2026. You can find all the details you need to check it:
- Official result portal:gov.in
- Details needed to check: Roll number + Date of birth
- Marksheet status: Passed will appear as Pass (Compartment) and will be fully valid for college admission.
- If you fail: That leaves you with 2 more tries to go (3-attempt rule). Appeal as a Private Candidate for the next Board cycle.
Practical insight: After the CBSE compartment exam result 2026 is declared, universities and colleges that require the result for admission will accept the official CBSE result printout from cbse.gov.in as valid proof until the physical marksheet is issued. Download and keep a printout ready.
FAQs: CBSE Compartment Exam 2026
Q1. What is the difference between a compartment and a supplementary exam in CBSE?
They are the same exam; there’s no difference. The exam is officially known as the “Compartment” by CBSE. The word “supplementary” is frequently used in school and by students. The Admit card, Syllabus and Exam Pattern are same.
Q2. Can a Class 12 student appear for compartment in 2 subjects?
No. CBSE provide the compartment route only in the event that you get failed in 1 subject in class 12th. If you have been found to have failed in more than one subject, your marksheet will display “Essential Repeat” and you will be required to re-enrol for the full year in 2026-27.
Q3. What happens if I fail the compartment exam?
You still have 2 more attempts. If you fail in July 2026, you can appear in the next board cycle (February-March 2027) as a private candidate for only the compartment subject. A total of 3 attempts is allowed.
Q4. Will my marksheet show ‘Compartment’ after I pass?
Yes, it will say “Pass (Compartment).” This is completely valid. Most colleges and universities accept this without any issue. If you are unsure, verify with the specific institution you plan to apply to.
Q5. Is the CBSE compartment exam tougher than the main board exam?
No. Students will follow a syllabus and pattern identical to those followed in the main board exam. There’s no alternative or less complicated paper; it is the identical standard. Students who do well preparation for 4-5 weeks regularly pass it off.
Q6. Can private candidates apply for the CBSE compartment exam 2026?
Yes, private candidates apply directly to the CBSE website (idioms website) before the LOC deadline. It opened on June 17th for Class 12. Additional documents which private candidates are required to bring are their migration certificate and previous marksheet.
Q7. How many attempts do I get to clear the CBSE compartment?
CBSE allows a total of 3 attempts. The first is the compartment exam itself (July 2026 for Class 12). If you do not clear it, the second and third attempts are in subsequent board cycles.
Q8. What is the LOC submission date for Class 12 compartment 2026?
The CBSE Compartment Form 2026 LOC submission window has been opened for class 12th on 17th June, 2026. Schools are required to submit prior to the deadline, as there are no late deadlines. If you are a regular student, your school will deal with this, please let your school know immediately if you do not.
Final Words: What Should You Do Right Now?
The CBSE compartment exam 2026 is your second chance, and with focused study of even 4–5 weeks on one or two subjects, most students clear it comfortably. Stay calm and keep checking cbse.gov.in for the latest updates on admit cards, date sheets, and results.
For the most current and official information, always refer to cbse.gov.in. This blog is based on information available as of June 2026.
Last Updated: June 2026
Source: cbse.gov.in
Written By: Saumya Sarin (Content Writer at Motion Education)
